A TAUNTON woman has been banned from keeping cats and dogs after failing to care for several pets in her home.

Jennifer Ann Waddup, 49, of Buckland Road, pleaded guilty at Taunton Magistrates' Court to four charges brought against her by the RSPCA.

She admitted:

*failing to explore and address the cause of the poor bodily condition of nine domestic cats between March 20 and April 3 this year;

*causing unnecessary suffering to a border collie named Domino by failing to provide professional veterinary care for a chronic skin condition between the same dates;

*failing to ensure the needs of 14 domestic cats and Domino the dog were met by not ensuring their need for a suitable environment in which to live on or before April 3;

*and not taking reasonable steps to ensure the needs of 14 cats were met by not protecting them from pain, injury, suffering and disease as seen by a chronic and significant flea infestation on or before April 3.

The court imposed a community order and ordered Waddup to carry out 100 hours unpaid work

She must also pay an £85 victim surcharge and £300 costs.

And an order was made depriving Waddup of the animal and for its disposal and to deprive her of the animal's dependent offspring.

An RSPCA officer has been given permission to enter Waddup's home to carry out the oder.

She was also disqualified from keeping cats or dogs and from being able to control or influence the way cats and dogs are kept. She is barred from appealing against the ban for two years.