Peters Marland woman who kept animals in squalor receives ban and suspended prison sentence

A Peters Marland woman has been handed a suspended prison sentence and banned from keeping any animals for five years after horses, dogs and birds were found living in squalor by investigators.

Diana Curtis was also ordered to pay £10,000 in costs and a £154 victim surcharge after she pled or was found guilty to a total of eight charges at Exeter Magistrates Court following a prosecution brought by the RSPCA.

Curtis, aged 66, was sentenced on December 20 to 16 weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months.

Inspectors from the animal welfare charity were joined by officers from Torridge District Council, police, vets and staff from Dog’s Trust when they attended the address at Peters Marland near Torrington on July 26, 2022.

They found a number of animals, including dogs, horses, chickens, ducks and a goat, living in unsuitable and squalid conditions - some left without food, water or vet care.

A stallion, named Mid Morning Monkey, was found with an eye ulcer; checks with vets showed he had been left without treatment.

Two other horses, named Symphonies Secret and Summer’s Place Jessica, were both found to have untreated dental disease. Summer’s Place Jessica also had deformed legs and swollen knees, an uneven gait and was regularly seen tripping due to what was later diagnosed as chronic arthritis.

The case was originally investigated by Torridge council after complaints of dogs barking constantly at the address. The council said noise abatement notices were issued, but were breached.

Curtis received a Criminal Behaviour Order and told she could only keep six dogs. With no evidence this had been met, the council initiated a joint investigation and officers gained a court injunction to enforce the order.

When investigators arrived they found the number of dogs had indeed been reduced to six, but they found animals living in squalor and poor conditions.

The RSPCA brought a prosecution against Curtis, with resulted in animals being removed from the property.

RSPCA deputy chief inspector Suzy Hannaby said: “The property was filthy and appeared to have been used as a dog kennel rather than for human habitation, the floors were bare and the only furniture present was for storage.

“There were no chairs or human beds. There was a strong smell of ammonia in the downstairs of the property. There were dog faeces and soiled straw and shavings on the floor, pieces of wooden board, dirty dog beds and two empty crates. There was no food or water available.”

Torridge Councillor Philip Hackett added: “This is an appalling case of animal neglect, which involved a large number of animals that were clearly lacking in proper care and living in unsanitary conditions.

“It’s a great example of joint working instigated by our officers and we’re grateful to the other agencies and organisations involved in the animal’s rescue.

“The subsequent prosecution brought by the RSPCA will hopefully mean no other animals will have to suffer at this location in the future and the sizable financial penalty will be a deterrent to others. I would like to congratulate and thank everyone involved in bringing about this successful resolution.”