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Woman banned from keeping animals for five years after dog and fish suffered

Deborah Oakley, of Ruardean, in the Forest of Dean, has been banned from keeping animals for five years after pleading guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to animals in her care and failing to meet their needs

[Animals were confined in Deborah Oakley's home]

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Animals were confined in Deborah Oakley's home(Image: Forest of Dean District Council)

A woman who failed to properly care for animals in her charge has been handed a five-year ban on keeping pets.

Deborah Oakley, from Ruardean in the Forest of Dean, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to one dog and three fish, as well as failing to meet the welfare needs of animals under her care.

Officers from Forest of Dean District Council's street warden team, counter fraud and enforcement unit executed a warrant at Oakley's Ruardean address on March 26, 2025, supported by Gloucestershire Police.

Upon entering the property, they discovered evidence of poor hygiene and waste throughout, with animals being kept in neglectful conditions that had caused them to suffer over a prolonged period.

The dog, three cats, three fish and a bird were all removed from the property due to serious concerns over their health and living conditions. Oakley agreed to relinquish ownership of the dog and two of the cats to the council, but refused to hand over the male cat, the bird and the fish, reports Gloucestershire Live.

Oakley was sentenced at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, August 18. She received a 12-week custodial sentence, suspended for 24 months, alongside the five-year ban on owning or keeping any animal.

A Deprivation Order was also granted in respect of the fish remaining in foster care.

She was further ordered to pay 500 towards prosecution costs, plus a victim surcharge of 154.

Forest of Dean District Council confirmed that a second defendant in the case has also pleaded guilty to offences under the Animal Welfare Act and is due to be sentenced next month. Cllr Adrian Birch, Leader of Forest of Dean District Council, said: "I would like to thank everyone involved in investigating this case and bringing this successful prosecution. We must all do everything we can to prevent animals from being subjected to such suffering.

"The owner, or person caring for an animal, has the responsibility to ensure the animal is protected, kept free from pain and nurtured in a safe environment.

"The team at Forest of Dean District Council do a fantastic job of ensuring that animals in our district are looked after properly and will hold those accountable should they find any animal has been mistreated. Today's sentencing should stand as a testament to this.

"If you have any welfare concerns for animals that you are aware of, please do not hesitate to contact our street warden team at street.wardens@fdean.gov.uk."

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