A WOMAN from Weston-super-Mare has been banned from keeping animals for seven years.
Michelle Marie Steer, of Walliscote Grove Road, pleaded guilty to three animal welfare offences regarding dogs and a snake.
RSPCA officers attended Steer's address on October 16 2024 and receiving reports about the animals in the home.
They found four puppies and four adult Staffordshire bull terriers, including a father and daughter who had been bred to produce puppies.
As well as the ban, the 44-year-old was ordered to pay £400 in costs.
When sentencing, mitigating factors that were mentioned included her remorse for the situation and that she said things had 'got on top of her'.
RSPCA Inspector Jo Daniel, who investigated for the charity, said: “There were two younger dogs, both female, named Kia and Koda. These both had obvious skin issues which seemed to be particularly noticeable around their ears where there were open sores, swelling and thickening of the skin.
"Both dogs were shaking their heads and scratching themselves a lot. Kia was also underweight and had obvious fur loss.
“Also on the floor in the sitting room, partially obscured by the sofa cushion, was a vivarium. I was advised that there was a corn snake contained within this vivarium called Noodles.
"The vivarium was in darkness. There was no heat or lighting provided in this vivarium. There was no water available. Noodles was very cold to the touch.”
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Steer's son, Ben McKinnon, 26, of Hambledon Road, was also sentenced after he pleaded guilty to an animal welfare offence regarding Koda.
In mitigation, it was said his mum was looking after the dog daily but he had been aware of the skin complaint and accepted he should have done much more. He was ordered to pay a £833 fine and £400 costs.
RSPCA Inspector Jo Daniel added: “Animals deserve to live healthy lives in appropriate surroundings with the right care. They are reliant on owners to be given everything they need to survive, including vet care to treat ailments and conditions, and suitable accommodation so they can live their lives without their health and welfare being compromised.”
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