Birkenhead pensioner is convicted of neglecting animals

Sep 17 2008 by Matt Hurst, Birkenhead News

Inside Patricia Seager's 'animal hospital'

AN ELDERLY Birkenhead woman has been banned from keeping most animals for three years and handed a 12-month conditional discharge after pleading guilty to charges of neglect.

Patricia Seager, 71, ran an unofficial “animal hospital” at her Green Lawn home but, when RSPCA officers first visited in October 2006, they discovered a large number of animals and birds living in cramped, dirty conditions.

Among them were hedgehogs, crows, pigeons and magpies, and advice was offered to Ms Seager on how the situation could be improved.

In January, February and August last year, follow-up visits were made to monitor progress, but RSPCA officials were unable to gain access.

Then, on August 21 2007, an RSPCA inspector, a veterinary surgeon and a local authority-appointed inspector returned to discover little had been achieved and a number of animals and wild birds were still living in small, dirty cages.

Many were also in need of immediate veterinary treatment.

Despite the RSPCA’s efforts, a further visit in September 2007 found no improvement.

Cats, dogs, hedgehogs and wild birds were removed and taken for treatment.

Most recovered and were released back into the wild, but a small number were put to sleep on veterinary advice due to the severity of their condition.

Ms Seager accepted adult written cautions for neglecting her dogs and cats, and those animals will be returned to her.

RSPCA prosecution case manager, Phil Wilson, said: “It was with some sadness that the RSPCA was placed in this position but the intransigence of Ms Seager and her refusal to take advice, not only from the RSPCA but also from a veterinary surgeon, left us with no choice.”

Ms Seager may keep dogs, cats and grey squirrels during her three-year ban.