AN animal lover who has devoted her life to caring for strays was left devastated after Wirral Magistrates Court banned her from keeping them at her home.
Pat Seager 71, of Green Lawn, Birkenhead, was disqualified from keeping animals with the exception of cats, dogs and grey squirrels for which she holds a licence.
The pensioner, who has taken in rescue animals for the past 40 years, pleaded guilty to eight offences of failing to meet the needs of animals in her care and was given a three year ban.
The town’s MP Frank Field wrote a letter to the court that said: “I feel so strongly about your treatment that had I not had a key meeting on the day of your court appearance, I would have come back to Birkenhead to give evidence for you. I believe the RSPCA has grossly mistreated you and now finds it difficult to back off.”
Miss Seager said: “The saddest thing is what will happen to the animals now - people will have nowhere to take them.
“The RSPCA won’t take wildlife in as they will leave nature to take its course.
“I don’t understand why the RSPCA are being so vindictive. I’m devastated.”
Christopher Johnson, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, told the court how several birds had been kept in cages that were insufficient in height, length and breadth for their wing span.
He also told the court that a hedgehog was suffering from decayed teeth possibly due to a diet of cat food and had a skin infection that if left could cause unnecessary pain and suffering.
The court heard how RSPCA inspectors first visited Ms Seagar’s home in 2006.
Further visits in 2007 culminated in a warning notice in which she was given a period of time to rectify the matter and find suitable accommodation for the animals, but nothing had been done when the RSPCA visited again.
Defending solicitor Paul Davison said: “Ms Seagar does not go out looking for these animals, people bring them to her.
"Because of the number she has, she could not accommodate them anywhere else, but neither could she release the wild animals as they would die.”
Report by Carol Emmass
Pat Seager 71, of Green Lawn, Birkenhead, was disqualified from keeping animals with the exception of cats, dogs and grey squirrels for which she holds a licence.
The pensioner, who has taken in rescue animals for the past 40 years, pleaded guilty to eight offences of failing to meet the needs of animals in her care and was given a three year ban.
The town’s MP Frank Field wrote a letter to the court that said: “I feel so strongly about your treatment that had I not had a key meeting on the day of your court appearance, I would have come back to Birkenhead to give evidence for you. I believe the RSPCA has grossly mistreated you and now finds it difficult to back off.”
Miss Seager said: “The saddest thing is what will happen to the animals now - people will have nowhere to take them.
“The RSPCA won’t take wildlife in as they will leave nature to take its course.
“I don’t understand why the RSPCA are being so vindictive. I’m devastated.”
Christopher Johnson, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, told the court how several birds had been kept in cages that were insufficient in height, length and breadth for their wing span.
He also told the court that a hedgehog was suffering from decayed teeth possibly due to a diet of cat food and had a skin infection that if left could cause unnecessary pain and suffering.
The court heard how RSPCA inspectors first visited Ms Seagar’s home in 2006.
Further visits in 2007 culminated in a warning notice in which she was given a period of time to rectify the matter and find suitable accommodation for the animals, but nothing had been done when the RSPCA visited again.
Defending solicitor Paul Davison said: “Ms Seagar does not go out looking for these animals, people bring them to her.
"Because of the number she has, she could not accommodate them anywhere else, but neither could she release the wild animals as they would die.”
Report by Carol Emmass
they are just trying to get rid of the competition
ReplyDeletebecause they are nasty interfeering sh*ts who hate pensioners
ReplyDelete