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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
National
Jacob Phillips

Woman spared jail after animals found 'slaughtered and neglected' in London garden

One of the puppy’s found during the animal cruelty case - (City of London corporation)

A woman has been banned from owning animals for life after dead, slaughtered, and suffering dogs, pigs and birds were found in a south west London garden.

Animal welfare inspectors discovered a “shocking scene” in Kingston Vale at the height of the pandemic in May 2020 following complaints about the noise and smell coming from a home.

Over 80 animals were taken into care by the Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames, including 23 puppies and dogs, with many needing to spend time at quarantine kennels, and most needing veterinary treatment.

The Dogs Trust cared for and ultimately rehomed all the puppies and dogs rescued.

All of the animals recovered by the council survived and were rehomed, except for one small chick.

As an investigation unfolded, Kingston and City of London inspectors found Micaela Anderson-Letts was selling puppies without a licence, illegally importing a large number of puppies, and falsifying pet passports to get the dogs into the country.

These were also serious breaches of the controls in place to protect the UK from infectious diseases including rabies.

Ms Anderson-Letts, 35, was found guilty of 15 offences at Kingston Crown Court on January 7 for mistreatment, neglect, and numerous breaches of the Animal Welfare Act.

Offences included two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to two pigs and two puppies, and five counts of failing to meet the welfare needs of animals in relation to four pigs, 56 poultry and 14 dogs and puppies.

She was sentenced to 24 months in prison, suspended for two years, and banned for life from owning animals or applying for licences involving animals.

Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Port Health and Environmental Services Committee, Mary Durcan, said: “This was a truly shocking case of animal cruelty and neglect.

“Ms Anderson-Letts showed no regard for the law, or the welfare of the animals involved.

“This prosecution serves as a warning that we will take robust action against anyone found to be mistreating animals and breaking animal welfare laws.

“It also shows how vital collaborative working is to complex investigations like this.”

Kingston councillor Afy Afilaka said: “This was a huge joint investigation into a very harrowing case, which involved a great deal of unnecessary suffering for the animals involved.

“Through the close and meticulous working of the teams at Kingston and the City of London Corporation, we were able to rescue many of the animals and bring the perpetrator to justice.

“We are committed to upholding the highest standards of animal welfare across the borough and will vigorously pursue anyone who mistreats or abuses animals.”

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