A North Shields animal breeder has been banned for keeping animals for the second time after she was found to have neglected 11 Persian cats. Stephanie Neesam, 25, used the name Purrcise Persian's' [sic] to sell the pedigree cats on Facebook. However, they had been left to suffer in a dirty environment at her home on Horsham Grove for at least two months, a vet said, leaving them suffering with a catalogue of health problems.
The three male and eight female Persians, aged between 18 months to five years old, were found on July 27 last year showing moderate to severe signs of cat flu. They all had signs of fleas, coats matted with faeces, urine-stained paws, painful eyes, dirty ears, poor teeth and impaired breathing. Read more: Terrified cat in shelter for over 100 days finds loving Northumberland home with David Bowie-loving owners Keep up to date with all the latest court news from the North East with our free newsletter Neesam was previously banned from owning dogs for five years in April 2022 after she allowed her bullmastiff Viper to suffer for several months.
Viper had been left without veterinary care for a tumour on her left elbow, a skin condition and weight loss, among other things. She has now been banned from keeping cats for five years at a hearing at Newcastle Magistrates' Court on May 23, following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA. The court heard how RSPCA Inspector Helen Bestwick had gone to the house in July 2023 at the request of police and fou.