THE owner of a cat who died after he was left to suffer with a severe flea infestation has been banned from keeping animals for 15 years.

Jennifer Ann Waddup, 55, of Buckland Road, Taunton, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.

The animal welfare charity was contacted with concerns after a black and white cat was presented to vets having recently passed away. Investigations showed he was covered in fleas which had caused his death.

Alongside the 15-year disqualification, which she can’t appeal for ten years, Waddup was also sentenced to 23 weeks custody, suspended for 18 months, and a £250 fine when she was sentenced at Taunton Crown Court. She was also in breach of a previous ban following an RSPCA prosecution in 2019.

The RSPCA says Felix's death while suffering from a severe flea infestation illustrates why it’s so important that people regularly treat their pets.

RSPCA Inspector Jo Daniel, who investigated for the charity, said: “The sad and entirely avoidable death of Felix shows how vitally important it is to treat fleas, it’s part and parcel of responsible pet ownership.

“Whilst fleas may seem like a temporary nuisance, they must be tackled quickly. As well as being very uncomfortable for your pet they can pose serious and even fatal risks to their health, as this case sadly illustrates.

“This time of year is particularly rife for flea infestations with the return of the warmer weather. It means fleas are breeding and hatching at a much quicker rate. It’s therefore crucial that owners treat and protect their pets but the focus should always be on prevention which means using effective treatment all year round.

“We would always advise people to seek advice from their vet as to which flea treatment is the safest and most effective for their animal.”