Wisbech man disqualified from keeping animals for 15 years

A man has been disqualified from keeping any animal for 15 years after he was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a kitten.

James Callaby, 23, of Tindall Close, Wisbech, appeared before Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on October 9 for sentencing.

He had been found guilty at an earlier hearing of causing unnecessary suffering to a black female kitten named Lola by the infliction of non-accidental injury, namely blunt force trauma to the right side of her head, contrary to Section 4 (1) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The incident happened the day before his birthday on November 2 last year at Tindall Close.

The defendant was given 24 weeks' imprisonment suspended for 18 months and was ordered to carry out 30 rehabilitation activity days and 120 hours unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £620 towards costs and a victim surcharge of £115.

Evidence from a veterinary expert explained that the injuries sustained by Lola, who was not owned by the defendant and had been left alone in his care on the day she was injured, were consistent with blunt force trauma to the right side of the head. The court heard he knew, or ought reasonably, to have known that the effort of the blunt force trauma would have caused the kitten unnecessary suffering.

The vet said Lola would have suffered as a result of the blunt force trauma via a mechanism of pain and disorientation, and that she had likely suffered for at least several hours, possibly longer.

Lola has since made a full recovery.