A FALMOUTH couple have been banned from keeping animals for 20 years.

Peter and Vicki Quick, of Oakfield Road, aged 37 and 39 respectively, were sentenced by Truro magistrates today having been found guilty of five counts of animal cruelty.

Prosecuting, Kevin Withey showed photographic evidence to the court of the couple's cats and dogs, some of which had visible rib cages and terrible skin conditions.

The two dogs, Scooby and Bambi, together with four cats Toulouse, Cookie, Crumble and Dough, have been in the care of the RSPCA pending today's sentencing.

The couple do have another cat, Midnight, described by Mrs Quick as her "therapy cat", which will also be taken away from them, although it did not have any injuries or issues.

Defending, Elliott Moore said that the offences were committed at a time when the couple, who have four children, experienced difficulties in living at the address.

"They were on the receiving end of threats and had been given advice not to return to the property," said Mr Moore.

Mrs Quick has a long history of mental health issues including psychosis, depression and agoraphobia.

Mr Moore added that it had taken her four hours to get herself in a position to attend court this morning and had not slept for three days in the run-up to the hearing.

In sentencing them to a 20-year disqualification, chairman of the bench Georgie Higgs said: "It was your responsibility to look after those animals and while we have sympathy for your situation, it is clear that you do not have the skills or understanding at this time to prevent suffering to them.

"We do not accept that you could not have noticed they were being starved and dehydrated and that they were in pain and had injuries, body scabs and fleas."

They were each ordered to pay £300 costs. The disqualification order has been suspended for 21 days, during which time the couple have a right to appeal.

The five joint offences for which the couple were sentenced were:

1, That between the 17th September and 17th October 2018 at Oakfield Road, Falmouth, Cornwall, did cause unnecessary suffering to a certain protected animal, namely an aged crossbred type dog by name Scooby by failing to explore and address his poor bodily condition, which you knew or ought reasonably to have known would have such an effect or be likely to do so, contrary to Section 4(1) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

2, That between the 17th September and 17th October 2018 at Oakfield Road, Falmouth,

Cornwall, did cause unnecessary suffering to certain protected animals, namely four domestic cats by name Toulouse, Cookie, Crumble, and Dough by failing to explore and address their poor bodily condition, which you knew or ought reasonably to have known would have such an effect or be likely to do so, contrary to Section 4(1) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

3, That on and before 17 October 2018 at  Oakfield Road, Falmouth, Cornwall, did not take such steps as were reasonable in all the circumstances to ensure that the needs of certain protected animals, namely two dogs Scooby and Bambi, and four domestic cats, Toulouse, Cookie, Crumble and Dough for which you are responsible, were met to the extent required by good practice, in that you did not ensure their need for a suitable environment in which to live, contrary to Section 9(1) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

4, That on and before 17 October 2018 at Oakfield Road, Falmouth, Cornwall, did not take such steps as were reasonable in all the circumstances to ensure that the needs of certain protected animals, namely two dogs, Scooby and ‘Bambi, and four domestic cats Toulouse, Cookie, Crumble, and Dough for which you are responsible, were met to the extent required by good practice, in that you did not ensure their need for a suitable diet, contrary to Section 9(1) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

5, That on and before 17 October 2018 at Oakfield Road, Falmouth, Cornwall, did not take such steps as were reasonable in all the circumstances to ensure that the needs of certain protected animals, namely two dogs Scooby and Bambi and four domestic cats Toulouse, Cookie,  Crumble, and Dough for which you are responsible, were met to the extent required by good practice, in that you failed to protect them from pain, injury, suffering and disease as shown by a severe flea infestation, contrary to Section 9(1) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.