A woman who failed to look after her pets properly has been taken to court and banned from keeping animals for 10 years.

Natasha Walker failed to ensure the needs of animals for which she was responsible for were met, under section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

During an inspection on 8 September 2023, council officers found a rabbit, a bull breed female puppy and a male Cane Corsa type dog, all being kept in highly unsuitable conditions. The rabbit’s cage was dirty and too small, without adequate drinking water, there was a damp and dilapidated wooden kennel outside, in a garden which was cluttered and unsafe and the dogs only had filthy toilet water to drink inside.

The animals were taken into possession by the council after this visit due to the consistently poor conditions and failure to do anything about them.

Ms Walker attended the sentence hearing at Slough Magistrates’ Court on Friday 17 July, two months after the plea hearing where she plead guilty to three charges.

The court heard witness statements and exhibits in chronological order. They were told by the prosecution that while Ms Walker may love the idea of owning and keeping animals, she has a history of not looking after her animals, including a previous pet, a 9-year-old Bull Terrier.

The defence put forward Ms Walker’s personal circumstances and the improvements made to date, saying she agreed to a ban on keeping dogs, but not other animals.

Magistrates sentenced Ms Walker to a 12-month community order with 80 hours of unpaid work and 12 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR).

She was also ordered to pay £341 towards the costs of the prosecution and victim surcharge of £114, making a total of £455.

Ms Walker was disqualified from owning, keeping, participate in the keeping, being party to any arrangement and dealing in animals for 10 years and barred from applying for this order to be revoked for five years.

Councillor Ishrat Shah, lead member for equalities, public health and public protection, said: “I’m glad to see the court taking these offences seriously. People should think carefully before getting a pet as it is a long-term commitment. 

“They should consider whether they have the appropriate conditions necessary for a happy and healthy pet, with access to clean drinking water, food, a comfortable place to sleep and of course, a loving environment.”