Swedish couple fined for neglecting their 53 cats
A Swedish couple from southern Stockholm was recently convicted of animal cruelty and forced to pay a fine after keeping a large number of neglected cats in their Stockholm house.
“It was a serious offence,“ said prosecutor Ida Arnell to newspaper Metro, adding that she was happy with the verdict.
According to the animal inspectors, a total of 53 cats were taken into custody. While inspecting the couple's home, inspectors also found a small kitten which had lost the use of its hind legs, and several dead cats in the couple's garage.
The couple have since been convicted of animal cruelty and neglect of at least half of the animals found in their care.
Most of the cats were thin, injured or neglected in some other way. They had been found in a substandard environment, often reeking of ammonia from their urine.
The couple were sentenced to a probationary sentence and a fine of 7,600 kronor ($1,100) and 6,200 kronor respectively.
The district court didn't think that a prison sentence was justified as the intent to torment the animals couldn't be proven.
“Although it was a serious offence I didn't really think that a prison sentence was necessary,” said prosecutor Ida Arnell to newspaper Metro.
Both the woman and the man have denied allegations, according to Metro. Although the woman has admitted to some of the reports made by the inspectors, the husband claims that the majority of the cats didn't belong to them, but had been let in by visitors.
“It is drivel that we have owned 53 cats,” the man allegedly said in interrogations.
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“It was a serious offence,“ said prosecutor Ida Arnell to newspaper Metro, adding that she was happy with the verdict.
According to the animal inspectors, a total of 53 cats were taken into custody. While inspecting the couple's home, inspectors also found a small kitten which had lost the use of its hind legs, and several dead cats in the couple's garage.
The couple have since been convicted of animal cruelty and neglect of at least half of the animals found in their care.
Most of the cats were thin, injured or neglected in some other way. They had been found in a substandard environment, often reeking of ammonia from their urine.
The couple were sentenced to a probationary sentence and a fine of 7,600 kronor ($1,100) and 6,200 kronor respectively.
The district court didn't think that a prison sentence was justified as the intent to torment the animals couldn't be proven.
“Although it was a serious offence I didn't really think that a prison sentence was necessary,” said prosecutor Ida Arnell to newspaper Metro.
Both the woman and the man have denied allegations, according to Metro. Although the woman has admitted to some of the reports made by the inspectors, the husband claims that the majority of the cats didn't belong to them, but had been let in by visitors.
“It is drivel that we have owned 53 cats,” the man allegedly said in interrogations.
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