Couple fined for neglecting 14 sick cats

Photo / Janna Dixon

A Christchurch couple with so many cats that an SPCA inspector lost count after 30 have been convicted of not providing veterinary treatment for 14 that had to be put down.

Graeme Thomas Smith and his wife, Gillian Mary Smith, both 56-year-old beneficiaries, were ordered to pay fines and costs totalling $1600. They had denied joint charges of failing to provide treatment for the 14 cats.

They still had about 30 to 35 cats at the Haig St property, Graeme Smith, who conducted their defence, told Christchurch District Court Judge Jane Farish after she found them guilty.

Fourteen cats taken by the SPCA when it executed a search warrant in December were put down after being examined by veterinarian Ross Blanks.

He said they had ulcerated eyeballs, inflammations, breathing problems and discharges from the eyes and nose.

Questioned by Mr Smith, he said all the cats were treatable but it would have cost thousands of dollars.

SPCA inspector Aroha Kerr told of two visits to the Smiths' property, when she alleged they had been aggressive, and a third visit with her colleagues and the veterinarian.

On the first visits she had seen that some cats were unwell, and had stopped counting after getting to 30.

She saw Gillian Smith feeding the animals and said that they were trying to care for the cats.

The Smiths told the court they had spent thousands on vet bills for cats who were given to them or taken in as strays.

Judge Farish fined them a total of $800, ordered them to pay veterinary fees of $170, witness and court costs of $330, and legal costs of $300 - a total of $1600.

- NZPA