Woman banned from keeping animals after neglect in Essex home

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 26 Oct, 10:28 · Archive

April Richardson was banned from keeping animals and given a suspended prison sentence after two cats died and two dogs were found underweight at her Chelmsford home.

April Richardson, 34, from Braintree, has been banned from keeping all animals after two cats died in her care and two dogs were found neglected. She was sentenced to ten months in prison, suspended for two years, at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on October 9.

Richardson admitted three charges of causing unnecessary suffering to two dogs and two cats by failing to address their poor condition. RSPCA inspectors and police entered her former home in Stansted Close, Chelmsford, in January after concerns arose that animals were being left unattended.

A Staffy named Major and a Dogue de Bordeaux named Keanu were found alive but underweight and taken into RSPCA care. The two cats were found dead. It is believed the cats' injuries may have been caused by the dogs.

An expert vet who examined the evidence stated: 'All the animals in this case experienced extreme, prolonged and unnecessary suffering because of unsuitable living conditions and the owner's failure to meet their needs.' The vet added that the suffering could have been reasonably avoided had Richardson taken appropriate action to care for the animals.

The court heard that Richardson was struggling with her mental health, going through a relationship breakdown and was remorseful for her actions.

How it is being reported

• Woman given animal ban after two cats die and dogs found underweight in Essex homeBraintree woman April Richardson banned from keeping animals after two cats died and two dogs suffered neglect; suspended prison sentence handed down.Colchester Gazette · 26 Oct, 09:44
• Woman given animal ban after two cats die and dogs found underweight in Essex homeBraintree woman April Richardson banned from keeping animals after two cats died and two dogs suffered neglect; suspended prison sentence handed down.Brentwood Guardian · 26 Oct, 09:44
• Woman given animal ban after two cats die and dogs found underweight in Essex homeBraintree woman April Richardson banned from keeping animals after two cats died and two dogs suffered neglect; suspended prison sentence handed down.Echo (Basildon) · 26 Oct, 09:44

In this story: April Richardson · Chelmsford Magistrates' Court · RSPCA · Braintree · Chelmsford · Major · Keanu

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem