10/06/2005

Woman jailed for animal cruelty

A woman who kept almost 300 animals in her home has been jailed for three months at Preston Magistrates’ Court.

Rosalind Gregson, 55, was also banned from keeping any animals for life.

The court was told that Ms Gregson kept 271 animals, including 246 dogs, 16 birds, five cats, two kittens, a rabbit and a chinchilla, in her home.

When RSPCA inspectors visited Ms Gregson’s house in 2003, they found that the animals were emaciated and covered in faeces and urine.

The animals had been kept in what were described as ‘dark, dusty, dirty’ conditions and had little water, food or ventilation. Nine of the animals found in Ms Gregson’s home had to be put down.

Ms Gregson had earlier denied 49 counts of failing to provide the animals with necessary care and attention, but she changed her plea last month and admitted nine counts of causing unreasonable suffering to animals.

Ann-Marie Gregory, who was defending Ms Gregson, said that she had begun to obsessively collect animals, following her son’s death from a drug overdose fifteen years ago.

(KMcA/SP)

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