Dumfries family given 20-year pet ban after 29 cats found in waist-high clutter

A Dumfries family has been banned from owning animals for two decades after 29 cats were found in waist-high clutter.

A Scottish SPCA inspector attended the home of Victoria, John and Steven Carmichael with a warrant in April 2025 after they failed to follow an animal welfare notice to reduce the number of cats in their care.

The notice had been issued after the inspector found more than 20 cats in their property, which was significantly unkempt.

Police attended the home with inspectors due to repeated threats.

A Scottish SPCA inspector said they were “taken aback by the overpowering smell of ammonia”.

The household waste throughout the property was described as “waist-high” in some areas. Litter trays were “saturated with faeces”, and there were no hygienic places for the cats to eat or drink.

The inspector noted that there were signs of the pets being under “chronic stress”.

All 29 cats in the household were seized and taken to the Scottish SPCA Animal Rescue & Rehoming centre for further care.

The trio pled guilty to breaching animal welfare legislation at Dumfries Sheriff Court on July 20.

The family were handed a 20-year ban on owning or keeping animals, with the exception of one cat, which must be spayed or neutered, after failing to prevent overbreeding.

Steve and John Carmichael were also each fined £300, while Victoria Carmichael was given a £200 fine.

Reacting to the sentencing, the inspector said: “The Carmichaels showed complete disregard for their cats, putting them at serious risk of injury or disease.

“These poor cats had no space to rest or to exhibit their normal behaviour, causing them unnecessary suffering. No animals should be kept in such an unsafe and unsanitary environment.

“However, while a ban is the only way to ensure that this does not happen again to any animal, there is currently no system to monitor disqualification orders or track repeat offenders, which will significantly reduce the power of this sentencing.

“That’s why we’re calling for the creation of a National Animal Offenders Register, so individuals like the Carmichaels cannot go on to hurt other animals undetected.

“This is crucial to prevent future harm, and a measure that the Scottish Parliament must look at seriously. These policy decisions play a key role in ensuring Scotland becomes the best place in the world for an animal to call home.”