Couple banned from having pets after 'incompetent' care

AN EXETER couple have been banned from owning pets for eight years after they kept 29 animals in a filthy, cluttered flat.

- by NICK IRVING & PAUL GREAVES

Rebecca Sowden, 32, and Mark West, 38, were given advice 19 times by the RSPCA, social services, police and council officials about the state of their home and the animals and reptiles, a court heard.

They were responsible for 14 snakes, 12 cats, a tortoise, a bearded dragon and a leopard gecko in the small one-bedroomed flat.

The court heard the animals were not fed or watered enough, lived in stinking conditions in the faeces covered flat, did not have enough heating, big enough living spaces and were not exercised.

The RSPCA described conditions as "squalid" while the judge said the property was unfit for animals and humans alike.

Devon & Cornwall Police carried out a warrant at the couple's address in Taunton Close because of concerns about the living conditions and the health of the animals within the address.

RSPCA specialist exotic animal officers joined other rescuers from the animal welfare charity to help identify animals housed within the flat.