Two people have appeared in court accused of keeping more than 35 animals – including dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits and birds – in an Aberdeen flat.
John and Victoria Symon are alleged to have committed a string of animal welfare offences at their home on Seaton Gardens.
It’s alleged they caused unnecessary suffering to 16 cats and nine kittens, seven guinea pigs, a lurcher named Pepper, a Labradoodle named Jade and a Yorkie named Bono.
It is further alleged that they kept an excessive number of animals – including rabbits, chinchillas, birds and a hamster – inside the property and that they failed to protect them from “psychological distress”.
The pair are also accused of confining guinea pigs to inadequately sized cages and keeping cats in carriers, or similar, in a cupboard, with no means of escape.
It is also alleged they failed to segregate cats and guinea pigs by sex to prevent pregnancy and failed to provide adequate hydration and nutrition for the cats and dogs.
A number of the animals are alleged to have had coats soiled with urine and faeces.
The charges also allege they failed to seek veterinary treatment for some of the animals, with the cats suffering conditions including emaciation, muscle loss, mite infestation and diarrhoea.
The dogs are alleged to have had bite wounds, dental disease and ear, eye and penis infections left untreated.
Neither John Symon, 40, nor Victoria Symon, 35, appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday and solicitor Andrew Ormiston entered pleas of not guilty to seven charges under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland ) Act 2006 on their behalf.
A trial was set for next year.