1 July 2008

A Shoreham family has been found guilty of failing to provide adequate care for 17 pets.

Worthing Magistrates Court banned Sheila Hocking, 64, and her children Richard, 29, and Rosetta, 25, from keeping pets for four years after neighbours tipped off the authorities about a foul stench emanating from their New Road house.

The family members were fined £250 each after they were convicted of 27 separate charges of causing unnecessary suffering.

Six dogs, five cats, five horses and a parrot were forced to live in unsanitary conditions at their home, which was strewn with rubbish.

Several animals were suffering from diseases and infections as a result of the Hockings' neglect.

The pets are currently recovering at animal welfare centres in Patcham, Brighton, and Mount Noddy, in Chichester.

The family, who plan to appeal against the ruling, claim they had been distracted from their duties because one of Mrs Hocking's grandchildren had fallen ill.