A woman has avoided prison after police and RSPCA officers discovered the bodies of multiple animals — described as “mummified” — inside her filthy Newbiggin Hall home.
Kimberley Black, 42, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court where she pleaded guilty to six counts of animal cruelty. Officers were called to the property in December 2023 following concerns raised over a “swarm of thousands of flies.”
When police forced entry, they were met with the stench of decaying flesh. Inside, they found three dead dogs, a dead cat, a deceased corn snake, and one surviving — but severely neglected — tabby cat. Two of the dogs were discovered intertwined in the hallway, their corpses described by officers as “mummified.”
A veterinary examination concluded that the dead animals likely died from starvation and dehydration.
Recorder Toby Hedworth acknowledged that the level of neglect was severe but stopped short of imposing an immediate prison sentence. He told Black that had the court believed she intended to deliberately harm the animals, “I would be sending you to prison for a long time.”
However, Hedworth noted that Black was “at an extremely low ebb” in 2023, struggling with drug addiction and failing to care for herself, her family, or her pets. He added that sending her to prison would provide “a roof over your head for a period of time, but I don’t think you would be any better equipped when you came out.”
Black was handed a 16-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. She was also banned from keeping animals for 10 years and ordered to complete 25 rehabilitation days to help turn her life around.