Woman kept cats and dogs in 'grotesque' Kilbirnie home 'overflowing with faeces'

A woman has been banned from owning animals after keeping five dogs and seven cats in “grotesque” conditions described by an animal welfare officer as the “worst case” they had ever seen.

Jacqueline Fraser Wade’s home in Kilbirnie was investigated after complaints about a strong smell of urine and a large amount of dog faeces in the garden in June 2022.

The home of the 45-year-old, on Borestone Avenue, was found to have a noticeable stench of ammonia.

Officers from the animal welfare charity, the Scottish SPCA, reported a bedframe “full and overflowing with faeces resembling a grotesquely large, neglected litter tray” and “faeces, urine and mud splattered on the walls”.

Ms Wade had been fostering dogs through the Wales-based charity Pointers in Need since 2020 and said she had only been given one home check during this time.

Following investigation, the animals were seized from her property however two cats, named Captain Jack and Davros, were unable to be saved from severe ill health and were euthanised.

Ms Wade pled guilty on May 12 this year at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court and was sentenced to a three-year ban on owning or keeping animals and a 12-month supervision order on June 5.

The severity of the cats medical conditions were so advanced that they were both euthanised on veterinary advice to prevent further suffering. SSPCA

SSPCA inspector Bell, who attended at the property, described the case as “gross neglect” and the “worst that I have seen during my three years as a Scottish SPCA inspector”.

After attending at the property on June 28, 2022 and receiving no reply, SSPCA officers left a calling card for Ms Wade.

She phoned and agreed to meet them the following day at which point inspectors reported finding her in the garden with four dogs and another could be heard inside barking.

Inspectors noted that: “The garden was very messy, overgrown and covered in dog faeces”.

Inspector Bell stated: “Ms Wade then took us into the kitchen area of the property, where all the surfaces were piled high with clothing, food and rubbish.

“The small pathway through the kitchen into the hallway was congested with clothing and rubbish and the flooring was caked in thick dirt, grime and faeces.

“The hallway and living room were the same, all flooring and surfaces thick with filth and trampled in faeces.

“The smell of ammonia in the property was so strong it caused our inspectors’ eyes to sting. The bedding on the sofa in the living room was filthy and covered in faeces and mud. The cats’ litter trays were also filthy and there were faeces, urine and mud splattered on the walls.”

However, the upstairs area of the property was found to be in an even worse condition.

Inspector Bell said: “In one of the upstairs bedrooms, there were three bedframes pushed together, two of which were full and overflowing with faeces resembling a grotesquely large, neglected litter tray.”

Ms Wade failed to provide a suitable environment for the five dogs in her care and seven cats. SSPCA

The bedframe had been made into a toilet for the dog.

Ms Wade claimed this had been created for her ten-year-old German pointer named Daegan, who she said could not walk as he was too strong for a lead and would bark at neighbours.

As a result of the conditions, all animals were immediately removed from the property.

This included Daegan, along with a seven-year-old pointer named Jenny, a six-year-old pointer named Dougal, a ten-year-old pointer named Bodach, a six-year-old pointer named Winnie, and seven cats named Jamie, Davros, Murtagh, Angus, Time Lord, Briannia and Captain Jack.

The animals were given health checks by a veterinary surgeon.

One cat named Captain Jack was found to have a tumour on his tail as well as an ear infection.

Another cat named Davros was found to have ear and dental issues.

When questioned, Ms Wade said she had been treating the cat’s tumour with a poultice of butter and sugar, as well as cleaning out Davros’ ears with Johnsons ear cleaner.

As a result of the severity of Davros and Captain Jacks’ medical conditions, they were both euthanised on veterinary advice to prevent further suffering.

Four dogs who belonged to charity Pointers in Need have been returned into the care of the charity.

The remaining dog, Daegan, and one cat, Time Lord, were signed into the care of the SSPCA.

Ms Wade refused to relinquish the remaining four cats and a decision notice was served to transfer ownership to the SSPCA to protect their welfare. No appeal against this was made.

Inspector Bell continued: “This was a case of gross neglect, and the living conditions within the accused’s property were the worst that I have seen during my three years as a Scottish SPCA inspector.

“Anyone would have been able to see that the conditions within the property were far from suitable for any person let alone an animal to have to endure.

“Wade showed a complete lack of understanding as to how to provide a suitable environment for an animal and how to treat an animal when they have an injury or ailment.

“It’s great that Wade has been banned from owning or keeping animals but, given the level of neglect, we would have liked it to be for a longer period of time.

“If anyone is concerned about the welfare of an animal they can call our confidential helpline on 03000 999 999.”

STV News has contacted Pointers in Need for comment.