PHOTOGRAPHS supplied by the RSPCA reveal the 'extremely neglectful' conditions animals were left in by a pet owner from Weymouth.

Deanna Pritchard, aged 40, was banned from keeping animals for five years after pleading guilty to five counts of causing unnecessary suffering to eight animals between August 1 and August 27 last year.

READ MORE: Weymouth woman banned from keeping animals after 'extreme neglect'

The RSPCA inspected Pritchard's home in Meadow Close after reports concerning the welfare of animals and found a cat, four hens - one of which was dead - a royal python, a corn snake and a female hamster, which were all kept in 'extremely neglectful' conditions.

The cat was pregnant with an amputated tail. A court heard the cat was left in 'severe agony' with a bleeding tail, and did not receive medical help.

Pritchard also owned four chickens which were neglected and suffered with mites. All were suffering and received a lack of suitable diet, fresh drinking water and adequate bedding. One of the chickens was found dead by inspectors.

Two snakes were found without adequate UV lighting, which had been unplugged. A royal python was suffering with septicaemia, while the corn snake had an injured tail. Both had to be put down due to their bad condition.

The female hamster was old and left in filthy conditions. When questioned Mrs Pritchard provided a statement which said, 'we were just waiting for it to die'.

Prosecutor Matthew Knight said: "There's been extreme neglect. It was her responsibility, but she's clearly not able to look after animals."

In mitigation, it was said that the neglect was not deliberate or intentional harm, and that Mrs Pritchard felt remorse.

A spokeswoman for the RSPCA, said: "We're so grateful to people who report suspected animal suffering to us and we would like to reassure people we will always look into and, if necessary, investigate any complaints made to us about animal welfare.

"We rely on people calling our cruelty line with anything concerning they see in person or online, and giving thorough details about what they have seen - so further investigation can be conducted by the relevant teams."

Alongside the animal ban, Pritchard was also ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days. She was also ordered to pay £100 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.

Nationally, the most recent statistics from 2019 reveal the RSPCA received 1,218,364 calls to its national cruelty and advice line, with inspectors investigating 93,362 complaints of alleged cruelty.

To report an animal welfare case call 0300 1234 999 or visit

www.rspca.org.uk/utilities/contactus/reportcruelty/crueltychecklist