News Beat
RSPCA issues picture of shocking guinea pig conditions
Lauren Boardman, 25, kept 74 rabbits and guinea pigs – but appeared in court after they were found being kept in cages “overflowing with faeces” and with water bottles “coated with thick black mould”.
Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard on November 27 that Boardman, of Matchmoor Lane, Horwich, had also kept two French bulldogs in a property on Church Street in Bolton.
The RSPCA was asked by police to attend the Church Street property, where the dogs were found suffering from skin disease and infection.
Boardman had agreed to improve conditions and said she would move her animals to the second property on Matchmoor Lane.
During a follow-up visit to Matchmoor Lane in November 2023, RSPCA Inspector Rachel Whalley discovered a large number of rabbits and guinea pigs, which were removed that day by the charity and Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
The court heard that all 74 rabbits and guinea pigs were kept in overcrowded conditions, which prevented them from displaying normal behaviour, and Boardman had failed to provide them with adequate diet, water or a suitable clean living environment.
In addition, one guinea pig had been left suffering an untreated spinal issue and a fractured leg, a rabbit was suffering from skin disease and an abscess on his testicle, caused by a build-up of faeces on his fur, and a further three rabbits were suffering with sore eyes.
In her witness statement, an RSPCA officer said: “On entering the barn at Matchmoor Lane I was shocked by the amount of cages and hutches crammed in.
“Apart from a small gap which allowed us to walk into the space, all four walls were solidly built up with three tiers of hutches and cages full of rabbits and guinea pigs.
“Every cage was overflowing with faeces and old, damp bedding. The majority of water bottles were empty, most of them coated on the inside with thick black mould making what little water there was, contaminated.
“Not a single animal had any fresh food or hay. The hutches and cages were all miniscule, most were not fit to keep any living creature inside as they were so rusty and filthy.”
It took six RSPCA officers several hours to safely remove the rabbits and guinea pigs from the hutch, cages and crates, load them into their vehicles and transport them to an animal centre and vet for further treatment.
Four guinea pigs tragically died despite the vet’s best efforts, while others had to be put down due to ongoing eye and dental issues.
Those fit for rehoming were found loving homes through the RSPCA’s rehoming centres.
The charity received a further call in March 2024 from a member of the public reporting concerns for the welfare of dogs kept at the Church Street property.
Inspector Whalley visited the property to investigate, with officers from Greater Manchester Police, where two French Bulldogs were discovered in a suffering state.
Boardman pleaded guilty to eight offences, seven that took place in November 2023, relating to the 74 rabbits and guinea pigs, and an eighth offence of causing unnecessary suffering to the French Bulldogs between February and March 2024.
Included in mitigation was a suggestion that Boardman was brought up around animals, and had an affinity for them. She also said she was let down by two others who she had paid to look after the animals.
Boardman was disqualified from owning rabbits and guinea pigs for seven years, which she cannot appeal, and given a 12 months Community Order requiring her to undertake five Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days. She was ordered to pay £400 costs, and a victim surcharge of £114.
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After sentencing, RSPCA Inspector Rachel Whalley said: “This was an incredibly frustrating situation and it was very sad to see so many animals kept in such unsuitable conditions, and some suffering needlessly. It was an enormous case to investigate, with so many animals desperately needing our help.
“Rabbits and guinea pigs are intelligent, inquisitive creatures who need space to explore and enrichment to live a good life, but these poor animals were not provided with anything like that.
“It’s so vital that people do not take on more animals than they can cope with. I’m relieved we were able to intervene and secure a much better future for many of these animals.”
