An animal inspector who saved 76 poorly animals from their neglectful owners and cramped and filthy flat in Aberdeen has hailed the couple’s lifetime ban from owning pets as “justified”.
John and Victoria Symon were banned from keeping animals ever again after their Seaton Gardens home was found crammed with animals and with an “overpowering” smell of animal excrement.
The couple dismissed advice and pleas from inspectors and repeatedly ignored warnings they couldn’t possibly care for so many animals – including bearded dragons and guinea pigs – by smuggling more into their home between each inspection.
After Scottish SPCA officials discovered appalling conditions, John Symon, 41, and his 36-year-old Victoria were – at first – offered support instead of prosecution.
Animals hidden in cupboards and under dirty clothes
Speaking after their sentencing at Aberdeen Sheriff Court last week, Scottish SPCA inspector Fiona McKenzie said the couple repeatedly “disregarded advice given and continued to accrue multiple animals”.
“I tried on several occasions to work with John and Victoria Symons in relation to their animals,” she said.
“Initially, a number of animals were removed reducing them to an acceptable number of two dogs and two cats. Both the Symons disregarded advice given and continued to accumulate multiple animals.
“During these investigations, a total of 76 animals were removed from the two-bedroom flat. These animals included dogs, cats, kittens, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, gerbils, a parrot and various small birds.
“On searches of the property cats were found hidden within pet carriers in cupboards and kittens found under dirty laundry.
“The smell within the property was horrendous due to the amount of animal excrement. It was so bad it could be smelt in the communal landing. These animals were extremely stressed and in ill health due to such poor living conditions.”
The pair landed in the dock after repeatedly smuggling more animals into their property, despite continued confiscations by the SSPCA.
The inspector said it was obvious there were “serious welfare issues” concerning the animals but that the owners seemed “oblivious to her concerns”, the court heard.
The couple signed over ownership of 13 animals – including bearded dragons, cats, dogs and snakes – to the SSPCA rehoming centre in August 2020.
On a further visit three days later, they agreed to further sign over ownership of the remaining 39 animals, on the understanding they could keep two dogs and two cats.
Cats, dogs, kittens, rabbits, chinchillas, gerbils, various small birds and a parrot were all rescued from the flat, as well as kittens that the pair were trying to hide in the bathroom.
The couple were issued with a welfare notice and the council banned them from keeping any more animals in the flat than the four agreed.
But they then went to the ground, ignoring all calls and visits for weeks. When they finally let SSPCA inspectors in, they’d acquired another seven kittens, rabbits, budgies and a degu.
Again, the new creatures were signed over to the SSPCA on the same day
Concerned that the couple would once again acquire more animals, the inspector reported them to Aberdeen City Council’s housing department.
Local authority officials advised the SSPCA that the couple “had learning difficulties and were vulnerable”.
Finally, in March 2021, another inspection uncovered further grim discoveries including seven new mixed-sex guinea pigs, a new dog, a hamster and multiple new cats within the flat.
The vet who examined all of the saved pets detailed in a report to the court the various health conditions they were suffering from, including emaciation, matted fur and mites.
The Symons refused to sign over ownership of these latest animals and instead, the pets were seized and the pair were formally cautioned and charged.
Charity officials initially decided to work with the couple to help them look after animals rather than prosecute them.
But during future follow-up visits, the couple failed to engage with officials.
Inspector McKenzie said this was “extremely disappointing” given the charity made “every effort to try and help the couple initially”.
She said: “The continuing neglect and suffering being caused to animals resulted in a case reported to the procurator fiscal.
“The Symons could have easily prevented their animals from suffering by providing adequate nutrition and seeking veterinary treatment for their medical conditions.
“I feel the lifetime ban on owning or keeping any animals handed to both John and Victoria Symon is a justified outcome for the suffering these animals had to endure.”
John Symon admitted three charges of causing an animal unnecessary suffering and two charges of failing to meet the needs of an animal.
Victoria Symon admitted one charge of causing an animal unnecessary suffering.
Sheriff Margaret Hodge handed the couple, of Seaton Gardens in Aberdeen, a lifetime ban from keeping animals and a one-year supervision order each.
Anyone concerned about an animal can contact the SSPCA’s confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.
For all the latest court cases in Aberdeen as well as crime and breaking incidents, join our Facebook group.