A couple has been permanently banned from keeping animals in Leuven after it was discovered they had been hoarding 31 cats in their home, all of which were found to be living in deplorable conditions
In a shocking case, the Correctional Court of Leuven banned the couple after the cats were found with little to no care or nutrition.
The authorities were alerted to the situation in February 2020 when police officers uncovered the couple's living conditions.
The house was ill-equipped to handle the large number of animals, resulting in the cats being malnourished and neglected. The court described their condition as appalling.
Nuisance to neighbours
Not only did the couple fail to provide proper care for the cats, but the unsanitary state of the house also caused a nuisance to their neighbours due to the spreading of unpleasant odours.
The court determined that the couple was completely incapable of responsibly caring for animals, citing their precarious financial and social situation as contributing factors.
To prevent any future animals from suffering the same fate, the court imposed a lifetime ban on the couple from keeping animals. Additionally, they were ordered to pay a fine of €800.
This ruling serves as a reminder that animal welfare should never be compromised, and those found guilty of neglecting or mistreating animals will face consequences.
