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A couple from Cefn Hengoed have been banned from keeping any animals for five years after two cats in their care were left with untreated dental disease so severe that both had to be put to sleep.
Phillip Ivor Paul Prosser, 36, and Laura Elizabeth Mills, 38, both of Rhosili Road, Cefn Hengoed, Hengoed, were sentenced at Merthyr Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, May 6, after previously pleading guilty to a joint offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
The condition of the cats
RSPCA Chief Inspector Emma Smith attended the couple’s address on August 9, 2025, following concerns raised about a cat at the property. Mills told her she had previously owned eight cats but had signed five over to a rescue the year before as it was too many to cope with.
Mills explained that two of her remaining cats – a black and white female called Phoebe and a grey and white female called Ditzy – both had problems with their mouths, were unable to groom themselves, and had been dribbling.
CI Smith described Phoebe’s condition: “Phoebe was a black and white domestic short haired cat. She was in a very thin body condition with a body score that I assessed as a one or two out of nine (five to six being ideal). Her ribs and spine were easily felt when smoothed and could be seen through her coat. Her coat was matted and very stained with yellow and brown colouring which I assumed was urine/faecal matter.
“I immediately noticed that she was dribbling a thick yellow discharge from her mouth which smelt very pungent of infection.”
She added that Phoebe had dirty eyes containing discharge and was also sneezing.
Ditzy was found in a similarly poor state, also described as having a body score of one or two out of nine. CI Smith said: “Her ribs, hips and spine were all easily felt and seen through her coat. She was also dribbling heavily from her mouth and had a dirty and stained coat.”
Veterinary examination
A vet who examined both cats confirmed the extent of their suffering. Phoebe had severe dental disease with root exposure, gingival ulceration, inflamed tonsils, and tongue ulceration, along with a poor body condition and an unkempt coat with large areas of scabbed skin, urine staining, and dried faeces attached.
Ditzy was found to have severe dental disease with root exposure, bleeding gingiva, tongue ulceration, and hypersalivation, together with a poor body condition and a coat stained with urine and dried faeces.
Sadly, the vet determined that both cats had been suffering and that it was in their best welfare interest for them to be put to sleep.
Mitigation and sentencing
The court heard in mitigation that the couple’s failure to seek treatment was the result of financial hardship, which left them unable to provide the necessary care.
The offence related to the period between May 9 and August 9, 2025, during which the pair failed to provide veterinary treatment for the cats’ severe dental disease and failed to protect them from pain, suffering, disease, and distress, contrary to Section 9(1) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Both were disqualified from keeping all animals for five years, with the ban suspended for 35 days to allow them to rehome their remaining animals themselves.
Mills received a 12-month community order with a 10-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, a £100 fine, £114 victim surcharge, and £200 costs. Prosser was handed a 12-month community order with 100 hours of unpaid work, a £114 victim surcharge, and £200 costs.
RSPCA response
Following the sentencing, CI Smith said: “All animals deserve to be treated with kindness and should have their needs met. We would urge anyone who is struggling to seek help and urge owners to be mindful of only taking on animals whose needs they can financially meet.”
Before leaving the property on the day of the inspection, CI Smith had made Mills aware of her responsibility for the remaining animals – two dogs and a cat called Kitty – and advised her to check them for any health issues and seek prompt veterinary attention for any concerns.
