Steve Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/5035...s_escape_house/RSPCA two year, £13,000 investigation because cats left house TWO medical professionals have been fined for failing to stop their seriously injured cats from getting outside following a two-year RSPCA investigation that cost the charity £13,000. Paramedic Simon Butterworth, 32, and wife Lesley, a 29-year-old nurse, admitted failing to provide necessary care and supervision by failing to prevent injured black and white cats Stella and Guinness from leaving their home. The couple, described as responsible pet owners of good character, appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court yesterday. The couple, of Appleby Close, Darlington, along with the RSPCA, made an appeal for information in The Northern Echo in June 2008, after both cats returned home with mysterious injuries, receiving skin damage, broken ribs and internal injuries in two incidents. As a result of the injuries, Stella died and Guinness had her tail docked. It is unclear how the cats were hurt, but the couple have always denied injuring them. Yesterday, Kieran Rainey, in mitigation, told the court that the couple, who recently had their first baby, were experienced and responsible pet owners. He said: “They had two cats and both were injured by someone or something else.” He said the couple had struggled to keep their pets inside because of the nature of cats. The court was told that both Stella and Guinness escaped from the house despite the couple trying to keep them inside on vets’ advice. Mr Rainey added: “This is the first and only time they have fallen below the high standard of care they set for themselves.” He said an incident where the couple’s cocker spaniel, Scrumpy, then a six-monthold puppy, tried to play with Guinness, causing her to hide under the sofa, was an oversight on the couple’s part. He added: “Both are of impeccable character. Both have been in steady jobs all their lives”, and said it would be inappropriate to ban the couple from keeping animals. The RSPCA case had cost £13,000, excluding vets’ fees. District judge Kristina Harrison fined Simon Butterworth £560, and ordered him to pay £500 costs. She fined Lesley Butterworth, who is on maternity leave, £100, ordering her to pay £100 towards costs. Judge Harrison said: “I do not think it is appropriate to impose on you a disqualification of having control of animals. I take into account the professions you are in and your previous good character.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trisven13 Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 (edited) He said an incident where the couple’s cocker spaniel, Scrumpy, then a six-monthold puppy, tried to play with Guinness, causing her to hide under the sofa, was an oversight on the couple’s part. What the hell???? Quick come and take my dogs - they play with my cats all the time and sometimes the cats like it and sometimes they don't. Seriously - this is going over the top and is completely beyond a joke. Edited March 2, 2010 by Trisven13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kissindra Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 oh good, UK RSPCA I can comment on - smacks of a grudge, what a huge waste of money! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Ruby Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 2 year investigation? Good to see they have that much money to waste! I guess they have no puppy farms over there or anything worse so they have to do something to keep themselves busy!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parkeyre Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 What a waste of time and money... idiots Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted March 3, 2010 Author Share Posted March 3, 2010 I think its falling down hilarious but imagine how the poor people felt who were under the gun. Having to front court and all - what a bloody outrageous joke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 absolutely ridiculous. Lost for words at just how stupid it is. Better take mine as well as my dogs and cats sometimes like playing with each other, sometimes don't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SchnauzerBoy Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 Oh dear... the world has gone mad! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anniek Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 I come from Darlington, and the RSPCA used to be very good there with geniune neglect cases. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jed Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 (edited) The cats were injured. The cats went outside. No one knows how the cats were injured. the owners were fined? the RSPCA spent 2 years and $13,000 on the case? Huh Edited March 4, 2010 by Jed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nellbell Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 WTF ???? My cat scared my dog once by jumping out at him.......does that mean I'll be investigated by the RSPCA (Really Secretly Pretending to Care about Animals ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted March 4, 2010 Author Share Posted March 4, 2010 You just cant believe that this is really what happened can you? It is just too stupid to even get your head around what you could say about it effectively. If it is true then honestly its time they stood back and took a bloody good look at who they have become and wake up to themselves - but for me its an element of I cant believe it ever happened as reported. Surely not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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