Dogs lived in ‘own little prison cells’ in horrific conditions

A pensioner who kept 40 animals in horrific conditions at her home in Nottinghamshire has escaped going to prison.

The RSPCA says Margaret Greaves' animals were living in "absolutely horrific" conditions, even moving a vet to tears.

Greaves of Newbound Lane in Sutton-in-Ashfield pleaded guilty to a number of animal welfare offences.

She was taken to court after inspectors found her dogs living in crates stacked on top of each other, with no food, water, blankets or toys.

The court heard that Greaves ran a dog flyball team and has competed in national and international competitions in the past.

Our correspondent Peter Bearne asked her outside court if she had anything to say:

RSPCA inspector Laura Kirkham said: “They were living in their own little prison cells - it was absolutely horrific and not something you expect to see in this day and age."

"There was faeces and urine in the crates and, in some, there were two dogs in each. The smell was disgusting - it was so overpowering that it was burning my throat."

The dogs were spread across the property inside the house, an outhouse and in a transit van and a run outside.

“There were seven dogs living in this van, all in crates - six in the back and one in the front,” said Inspector Kirkham.

She has been banned from keeping dogs for life, as well as a 12-week suspended prison sentence, a three-year ban on keeping animals, and was ordered to pay over £600.

Five of the dogs were put to sleep on veterinary advice due to health issues and a young puppy died from natural causes.