Dacorum woman banned from owning animals after cat put to sleep

Jackie Connolly, 59, of Chapel Street in Hemel Hempstead, pleaded guilty to two counts of animal abuse after the local authority removed a cat from her possession in August 2022.

Animal Welfare officers attended the property and found it in poor condition with extensive fur loss and two tumours on its body.

Images of the rescued cat taken by Animal Welfare officers in August 2022. (Image: Dacorum Borough Council)

Officers took the cat to a vet, who after initial treatment and advised it should be euthanized to prevent further suffering.

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Connolly pleaded guilty to one count of allowing an animal to suffer unnecessarily and one count of failing to meet the needs of an animal in November 2023. 

Images of the rescued cat taken by Animal Welfare officers in August 2022. (Image: Dacorum Borough Council)She was ordered to a pay a £40 fine and was disqualified from owning all animals for five years at St Albans Magistrates' Court on December 21.

Emma Walker, Head of Regulatory Services at Dacorum Borough Council, said: “I am pleased with the courts’ decision to disqualify the owner from owning any animals as this reflects the suffering that was caused to this cat, which could have easily been avoided.”