Dogsey

A dog breeder has been banned from keeping pets for life after 15 animals were discovered in appalling conditions at her Coventry home.

RSPCA investigators visited Carole Brooks home in March where they found the dogs kept in under-sized kennels - some of which were filthy and had no water, ventilation or bedding.

Four dogs were even stuffed in a child’s wendy house.

Some had respiratory infections and one dog, named Kakarot, had collapsed and was suffering from ulcers on his lips and pressure sores on his leg.

The dogs were removed from Brooks’s home in St Nicholas Street, Radford but she was allowed two supervised visits to see them again.

The RSPCA said that during the second visit in May she launched a violent assault on RSPCA Insp Louise Labram, assaulting her before throwing dog faeces in her face.

Brooks then grabbed her pony tail and kicked Insp Labram in the stomach.

The 47-year-old pleaded guilty to four offences of failing to meet the welfare needs of dogs in her care and one of causing unnecessary suffering to a dog by failing to provide appropriate veterinary care.

Brooks was also found guilty of assaulting Insp Labram and was given a suspended 26-week prison sentence and a two year supervision order.

She was disqualified from keeping animals for life and ordered to pay £1,500 costs, an £80 victim surcharge and £200 compensation to Insp Labram.

Speaking after the case Insp Labram said: “The conditions these dogs were kept in were appalling and it took RSPCAa very long time to groom and unmat the poor dogs’ coats as they were covered in urine and faeces.

“I had tried to help the defendant in the past - but she never made improvements to the conditions these poor dogs were kept in.

“The assault was horrid. As an inspector we are only trying to do what is best for the animals - it is not something we should expect to happen, but sadly it seems to happen more frequently.”