A woman who failed to get vet treatment for her cat who was suffering from dental disease and an ear infection has been banned from keeping animals for five years.

RSPCA inspector Grace Harris-Bridge was called to Downs Road in Canterbury after a member of the public reported an underweight feline to the charity’s cruelty line.

At a hearing at Folkestone Magistrates Court earlier this month the inspector said the black male cat named Panther was sitting outside the block of flats and smelt very strongly of infection and that she “smelt the cat before she saw him”.

Inspector Harris-Bridge added: “I recognised the cat from a previous visit in 2022 when I issued an animal welfare assessment notice to the owner.

“The cat appeared very underweight with his hips, spine, pelvis and ribs visible and very prominent.”

Panther was found in March last year at the former address of his owner Frances Lambourne.

A check with neighbours revealed that the owner had moved out from her property, so the inspector took Panther for urgent veterinary treatment after which Kent Police took possession of him.

A vet report stated Panther would have been suffering with toothache because of the dental disease for at least five months, and he also had a flea infestation and an ear inflammation.

He was treated with painkillers and given flea and worm treatment.

Panther has since made a good recovery and will be rehomed by the animal charity.

Lambourne, 60, of Queens Lodge, Third Avenue, Margate, pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and appeared for sentencing at Folkestone Magistrates Court on Thursday, September 5.

As well as the disqualification, she was placed on a community order for 12 months which means she will have to complete 100 hours of unpaid work.

In mitigation, the court was told Lambourne had not been able to afford vet treatment because she was on a low income and she was remorseful.

The defendant also has to pay court costs of £100 and a victim surcharge of £154.