Yorkshire woman banned from keeping animals after neglecting cats

Viktorjia Elksnite from Goole was prosecuted by the RSPCA after repeated warnings and visits from officers. She pleaded guilty to two charges under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, including causing unnecessary suffering to one of her cats.

Appearing for sentencing at Hull Magistrates’ Court on December 12, she was also fined £120 and told to pay £400 court costs and a victim surcharge of £48.

An RSPCA animal rescue officer had warned Elksnite about leaving her cats during an arranged visit in early November 2022, but when they returned three weeks later they discovered the cats alone with one - named Bellis - clawing at the window in a distressed state.

After several more visits to the property, in which Elksnite was absent for each, the officer was able to feed the cats through the letterbox on 4 December, nearly a month after initially warning her about neglecting her pets.

Another officer returned on December 14 with police and was able to access the property.

Bellis was found in a faeces-strewn living room with two empty bowls, while the other cat, Minnie, was in the kitchen where a litter tray full of faeces was also found.

In a statement to the court, the inspector said: “Bellis was bright, active and alert but in a poor body condition in a living room in which there were two bowls but neither had any food or water in them. In the kitchen was the small female cat, Minnie, who was also in poor body condition.”

Both cats were taken to a local veterinary practice for treatment.

In mitigation, the court was told that Elksnite was remorseful and was living a “chaotic lifestyle” at the time of the offences, but had now left an abusive relationship.

She was staying at addresses in Goole and Bridlington, where she was working, and thought she had made “appropriate arrangements” for the care of her cats when she was away.

Both Bellis and Minnie were signed over into the care of the RSPCA and have recovered from their ordeal. The charity is now looking to rehome them both.