A man who admitted ‘prolonged neglect’ of a menagerie of exotic pets – including rats, snakes, parrots and tortoises – has been banned from keeping animals for five years.
Christopher Jones, 39, narrowly escaped jail after admitting six welfare offences relating to 71 rats, 22 snakes, including two royal pythons, 18 mice, seven rabbits, four Chinese hamsters, two African pygmy hedgehogs, three tortoises and a ferret.
Magistrates in Wrexham, north Wales, were told that he failed to provide a ‘suitable environment’ for the animals, which he kept in his scruffy semi-detached home, in the town.
According to the RSPCA, more than 130 animals had been seized from the property, including several rats that were in such a poor condition that they had to be put down.
At a hearing on Monday, Jones was handed a 12-week jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 10 rehabilitation activity days.
He was also ordered to give up and rehome three macaws and pay £500 costs.
The court heard that, between April and August last year, Jones had failed to properly care for or get suitable veterinary treatment for seven rats, who had respiratory issues, a poorly African pygmy hedgehog, which was so weak it could not walk, a royal python which had a mouth abscess, and two other snakes with neurological issues.
He also failed to investigate why a reticulated python, a juvenile corn snake and three tortoises, were underweight and in a poor condition.
Christopher Jones, 39, admitted mistreating more than 100 rare and exotic animals at Wrexham Magistrates Court
Among the animals neglected were several royal python snakes (pictured) and a corn snake
Three tortoises were also among the animals seized by the RSPCA. They have since been rehomed
A rabbit seized by inspectors who visited Christopher Jones’ semi-detached property, in Wrexham, North Wales
Several rats had to be put down because they were in such a poor condition
At a previous hearing Stephen Edwards, defending, said it was an ‘unusual’ case but explained that the neglect occurred at a time when Jones had suffered a psychotic episode and was hospitalised for ten days.
‘He was struggling to cope,’ the lawyer said. ‘He wasn’t working and suffering from a couple of physically debilitating conditions.
‘He’s always been an animal lover with a particular interest in reptiles.’
A spokesman for the RSPCA said many of Jones’ animals had since been ‘happily rehomed.’
‘Every animal deserves to be treated with kindness and respect and you must make sure their needs are met and that they receive the appropriate care and veterinary treatment when needed,’ he said.
‘It is very sad that a number of rats had to be euthanised due to respiratory issues, however, other animals involved in this case have been happily rehomed.
‘Reptiles may look resilient and tough on the outside but they are actually completely reliant on their owners to provide the correct environment for the species, including heating and lighting, and an appropriate diet – all of which are essential to keep them healthy and allow them to carry out their natural behaviour. Without proper care they become ill or suffer and, in severe cases or if left untreated, they can die.’