Weymouth animal neglect woman Deanna Pritchard wins appeal

Deanna Pritchard was banned from keeping any animal for five years after failing to care for a cat, four hens, a royal python, a corn snake, and a female hamster.

READ MORE: Weymouth woman banned from keeping animals after 'extreme neglect'

Pritchard, aged 40, of Meadow Close, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the eight animals on April 8 this year. She was later banned from keeping any animal for five years during her sentencing at Weymouth Magistrates Court on May 7.

Pritchard outside Weymouth Magistrates Court on April 8. Pic: Sam McKeown

On the date of sentencing, the court heard Pritchard tried to blame one of her children for the condition the hamster was found in when RSPCA officers visited her home.

The cat was pregnant and had been left in 'severe agony' after injuring its tail, while the royal python, cornsnake and hamster all had to be put down due to their condition.

Three chickens were found with mites while a fourth was found dead due to mite infestation.

Pritchard, 40, previously pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the animals between August 1 and August 27 last year.

As well as the five-year ban, Pritchard was also given a 12-month community order and was told to complete 15 days of rehabilitation activities.

She was also ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work and to pay a victim surcharge of £95 and court costs of £100.

The court heard how Pritchard at the time owned a dog and a cat, so a seizure notice was issued for the animals to be taken into the care of the RSPCA.

Prichard appealed the sentence on Friday, October 1, which was granted by Bournemouth Crown Court - meaning the wording of the disqualification was amended to 'disqualified from keeping all animals save for dogs for a period of five years'.

A deprivation order under Section 35, put in place during the initial sentencing, has been removed - now allowing her to keep dogs again.