A man has been banned from keeping pets after leaving his cat alone for so long SSPCA staff had to feed her through the letterbox.
Tortoiseshell Rosie was left with no water other than from the toilet for days, and was so hungry she chewed empty packets of cat food, as well as pasta and rice.
Eventually entry to the property had to be forced so the SSPCA could get to Rosie.
Colin West, 51, left the animal alone at his address on Farquhar Road because he had a court-ordered curfew at another address and was not able to take her with him.
The court heard West had been going back to feed and clean up after Rosie every few days, but SSPCA inspectors left tape on the door which remained unbroken for four days until they eventually had to force entry.
West has now been fined for his conduct and banned from keeping pets, which was welcomed by SSPCA inspector Alexandra Campbell following the hearing.
‘The condition of the flat was horrendous’
She said: “I am pleased Mr West has pled guilty to this offence as it indicates that he acknowledges his actions were not adequate.
“I was shocked when I gained entry to the property as the condition of the flat was horrendous, with signs that Rosie had been consistently left unattended, including a dirty litter tray, an empty food bowl and numerous chewed packets of food.
“No food had been left and the only water source available was dirty water from the toilet bowl.
“Rosie must have been so hungry that she had sought out food sources such as dry rice and pasta.
“However, I am delighted that the court has issued a ban in this instance which ensures another animal will not be subjected to this.
“No animal should be left unattended for a period of time without proper provisions being made for its welfare. Such provisions include food, water, warmth and that the animal is checked on at least every 24 hours.”
Fiscal depute Dylan Middleton told Aberdeen Sheriff Court: “On Sunday, September 27 last year the SSPCA helpline received a call concerned a cat had been left unattended for several days.
“An inspector from the SSPCA attended and started the abandonment procedure.
“They were unable to see the cat and could not confirm it was in the premises.
“On September 28 another SSPCA inspector attended at the address at approximately 11.40am.
“On arrival, they noted the tapes left by their colleague were unbroken.
“They were unable to see the cat through the letterbox.
“A second abandonment card was left for the occupier, asking them to contact the SSPCA urgently.
“The following day, September 29, the two inspectors attended around 11.30am and found the tapes still unbroken.
“I understand these were placed as part of the abandonment procedure.”
The inspectors contacted Aberdeen City Council and identified West as the owner of the cat. The local authority also attempted to contact West and advise him of the situation.
Mr Middleton said: “Employees of the SSPCA arranged to meet Mr West at the property around 1.30pm on the same day.
“The inspectors returned at 1.30pm and found the tapes still unbroken. They tried to contact Mr West through his mobile but there was no answer.
“The cat was observed through the letterbox and appeared to be in good condition.
“Cat food was provided through the letterbox by the inspectors and they left 15 minutes after their arrival.
“On September 30, inspectors again attended at 11.45am and found tapes still unbroken.
“Forced entry was then arranged. At approximately 1pm a joiner from Aberdeen City Council attended and forced entry to the property.
“Upon entering, it was noted there were a number of empty, chewed cat food packets and mail behind the door.
“There were empty packets of cat food throughout the property which had all been chewed by the cat.”
More empty cat food packets and a dirty letter tray were discovered in the kitchen.
Bags of dry pasta and rice had also been chewed and ripped open by the hungry cat.
Mr Middleton added: “In the bathroom, a cup was upturned on the floor.
“The toilet seat lid was up with access to dirty water, which appeared to be the only water source available.
“On inspection, there were suspicions it had not been lived in for a while.
“There was then a search for the cat and it was discovered hiding behind bath panels. They were able to retrieve the cat.”
The fiscal said the cat, a tortoiseshell, domestic, short hair, female cat, was in good condition but very timid.
A vet examined Rosie and determined she had not eaten or gone to the toilet “in a while”.
Photographs of her condition were taken and she was transported to the rehoming centre.
West was traced at another address and the situation was explained to him.
He signed a document to relinquish ownership of the animal.
During interview West indicated the cat had been left unattended for 14 days.
West, of Farquhar Road, Torry, admitted leaving Rosie unattended and without adequate nutrition and hydration between September 27 and 30.
Defence agent Iain Hingston said: “It’s really a more unfortunate position than anything truly sinister or underhand.
“He’d had the cat for some time with no difficulties whatsoever.
“What happened was, he was curfewed at the time to an alternative address for various good reasons.
“Unfortunately he couldn’t take Rosie with him to that address so what he was doing was going back every few days.
“He talks about going back and cleaning her litter tray and putting in new litter and food.
“Where he fails is not having anybody else to look after the cat.
“It’s a cat he loved.
“The cat has been rehomed.”
He added West had left a cup of water in the bathroom for Rosie.
Sheriff Ian Anderson ordered West to pay a fine totalling £90 and banned him from keeping pets for five years.