Sponsored by
Family's pet rat was left to starve
A pet rat starved to death after it was left behind when a family moved house.
The rodent, known as Milly, was the pet of couple Samantha Pearson and David Step.
But when their new landlord said pets weren't welcome, the couple smuggled in their cat, but left the rat behind.
Step, 21, of Lowthian Terrace, Washington, was supposed to call in regularly and feed the animal.
But after he found his former house out-of-bounds after a suspected gas leak, he didn't return.
Along with Pearson, he appeared at Sunderland Magistrates' Court on Thursday to plead guilty to a charge of animal cruelty.
Pearson, 25, also of Lowthian Terrace, admitted two charges, as she was the owner of the property where the rat was discovered.
RSPCA prosecutor Clive McCaig said a vet had estimated the animal would have suffered for one month, between October and November last year.
Defending, Brian Chapman, said the couple had wanted to bring Milly to their new home, but the landlord had been there carrying out repair work.
Pearson thought Step was carrying out his promise to feed and water Milly, as he looks after their two children, aged two and three, while she works full time.
Mr Chapman said: "When he could not get access to the property, it was out of sight, out of mind and he did not take the full steps he should have.
"This is an animal that was effectively left behind in the old home and forgotten about.
"Miss Pearson was not told by her partner about this. The first she knew is when the RSPCA came to interview her."
Magistrates adjourned the case until June 26 for pre-sentence reports.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Sunderland striker Campbell fresh to face Middlesbrough
- Sunderland’s astonishing rise even surprising Martin O’Neill
- Middlesbrough 1 Sunderland 2 (aet): O’Neill relieved to avoid shoot-out lottery as Sessegnon wins it
- Martin O’Neill defends David Meyler after criticism from Tony Pulis
- Kieran Richardson says there is plenty more to come from James McClean
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sunderland
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -3 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South west
