The RSPCA says the deaths of three kittens who were suffering from a severe flea infestation illustrates why it’s so important that people regularly treat their pets.
The warning comes after a 35-year-old woman from Grimsby was given a 16–week suspended prison sentence and banned from keeping all animals for a decade after failing to provide her pets with adequate or any parasitic control.
Kerri Dunstan (DoB 25/02/88), of Anderson Street, Grimsby, had admitted two offences of causing unnecessary suffering to the kittens after she was prosecuted by the RSPCA for neglecting them.
At a sentencing hearing on June 20, Grimsby Magistrates’ Court heard how RSPCA animal rescue officer Hannah Williams had visited Dunstan’s house on 29 August last year.
The kittens, a grey and white male and a black and white female, both approximately six weeks old, were taken for immediate veterinary treatment by the officer after being found in a lethargic state and crawling with fleas.
Another two kittens from the same litter had already died three days earlier, the officer was told, while another one had been taken to the Blue Cross in Grimsby the day before in a ‘barely responsive’ state and had also passed away.
In her evidence to the court, the vet who examined the two kittens said: “Both of them were suffering from severe anaemia with heavy flea infestation and hypothermia. They were placed in an incubator to try and raise their body temperatures and were sprayed with Fipronil and combed for fleas. They were syringe fed milk regularly and their temperature was also monitored.
“By night time, both kittens showed some improvement in demeanour and their temperatures had risen but still below the normal acceptable range. Monitoring continued overnight and they were both given subcutaneous fluids.”
Despite ongoing care, their condition continued to deteriorate. They were placed on intravenous fluid therapy on August 30 but both of them sadly died later that day.
The court was told that the kittens’ mother, a three-legged black and white cat called Luna, was also subsequently removed from Dunstan’s house on September 1 by RSPCA inspector Laura Barber and taken for urgent treatment.
On examination she was found to be underweight and also suffering from a heavy flea burden, with scabs around her ears and neck which had been caused by constant scratching.
Like the two kittens, she was seized by police as evidence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
When interviewed about the cats, Dunstan, who had been on holiday at the time, said she’d used flea bombs and sprays inside the house. She apologised for what had happened and said she hadn’t realised the level of care the animals needed.
Sentencing her to 16 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, magistrates said they couldn’t understand why she had allowed the kittens to get into such a poor state, and that the case passed the threshold for custody.
Luna, who was signed over into RSPCA care, has since been re-homed by the charity. The court ordered a deprivation order in respect of another cat that was living at the property.
Speaking after the case, inspector Barber said: “The sad and entirely avoidable death of these three little kittens shows how virtually important it is to treat fleas, it’s part and parcel of responsible pet ownership.
“Whilst fleas may seem like a temporary nuisance, they must be tackled quickly. As well as being very uncomfortable for your pet they can pose serious and even fatal risks to their health, as this case sadly illustrates.
“This time of year is particularly rife for flea infestations as the warmer weather means fleas are breeding and hatching at a much quicker rate. It’s therefore crucial that owners treat and protect their pets but the focus should always be on prevention which means using effective treatment all year round. We would always advise people to seek advice from their vet as to which flea treatment is the safest and most effective for their animal.”
Fleas can also cause itchy, red bites on humans, which may appear on the skin, especially around the ankles and legs. While it’s essential to ensure your pet stays safe, action also needs to be taken within the home environment.
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If you spot fleas on your pet, treat them quickly as they can give your cat or dog tapeworms and diseases (make sure you worm your pet as well)
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Treat your home too, as fleas can survive without a host for many months
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Clean bedding regularly and vacuum furniture, floors and skirting boards to help destroy fleas at each stage of their lifecycle.
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Throw away the dust bag from your vacuum after each use.
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Maintain your pets’ flea treatment all year round, as fleas aren’t only active in summer.
For more advice, visit the RSPCA’s website.
