RABBIT killers who starved three 'skeletal' animals to death and left their maggot-infested bodies to rot in their filthy hutches will be allowed to keep their other pets.
Allana Julie Silk and and Jack Simon Pullen had already admitted causing unnecessary suffering to protected animals at their address in Field Road, Worcester, when they were sentenced at Worcester Magistrates Court today (Friday).
Starving rabbits Rosie, Ted and Teddy were all found dead in their hutches by an RSPCA inspector.
The period of neglect covered a three week spell between August 28 and the discovery of the dead rabbits by the inspector on September 13 last year.
However, mother-of-two Silk, who has now split from Pullen, will be allowed to keep her other animals - two cats, a hamster and a dog (a birthday present for her daughter) which she had acquired after the cruelty allegations came to light, in November last year.
Both are, however, banned from acquiring any more animals for the next five years.
Harrowing details of the case, which some readers may find distressing, were read out by the prosecutor, Sara Pratt, following the visit to the defendants' then home by an RSPCA inspector on September 13 last year.
Silk, 26, of Field Road, Worcester and her ex, Pullen, 23, now of Popert Drive in Worcester have split up since the last court hearing.
Ms Pratt said an RSPCA inspector told Silk 'all the rabbits appeared to be dead in their hutches' and she 'cried out and said they had all been alive that morning'.
Ms Pratt said Pullen confirmed this, claiming he had fed them before the school run.
The prosecutor, listing aggravating features, later said: "They put up a false account of what happened.
"The offence occurred in an area where children could have had access and could have seen the dead rabbits themselves."
If they had been out in the caged run, as claimed, it would be expected that the dandelions would have been eaten.
A post-mortem was carried out on September 22, nine days after the rabbits were found.
Ted was found dead with 'maggots on his body' and Teddy was dead in the sleeping area and there was 'a build up of faeces'. Rosie was 'in a very poor condition', rated one out of nine in terms of body condition (one being the most emaciated and nine being obese).
The rabbit was described as having 'little muscle, no fat and with bones prominent'. Ted was described as being 'effectively a skeleton with skin remaining on it'.
"Some of the skin of the body had been eaten away by maggots," said Ms Pratt.
She added: "The rabbits died and there was a very high level of suffering prior to death."
Teddy was rated two out of 10 on a body condition score. Ted was 'too decomposed for any post-mortem to take place'. The post-mortem found 'the three rabbits has suffered for more than three weeks prior to their deaths due to lack of suitable diet and veterinary attention'.
Cats and a hamster were also found but no action was taken by the RSPCA in relation to them as they were not in poor condition and they were returned to the family home that evening.
"It was clear the hutches had not been cleaned out for some time," said Ms Pratt.
The pair were interviewed at Worcester Police Station on December 4, Pullen claiming the rabbits had been out in their pen the day before they were found. Silk owned the rabbits but both were responsible for them.
"She said she hadn't deliberately harmed the animals," said Ms Pratt.
Pullen was of previous good character. Silk had one youth caution.
Silk said she has no dry food for the rabbits but told police she did have vegetables.
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Both defendants were made subject to a 12 month community order. Silk must complete 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days and was also made subject to a mental health requirmennt.
She was fined £120 and ordered to pay costs of £400 and a victim surcharge of £114.
Pullen must complete 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 100 hours of unpaid work.
A further order prohibits them from keeping any animals except the animals now in their care for the next five years.
Pullen has no pets but Silk was told she would not have her dog, cats and hamster removed.
Within two years they will be able to apply to amend or remove the order.
The RSPCA also successfully applied for £2,978.92 to cover their costs as a charity, including the costs of the prosecution.
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