A woman who broke a court order preventing her from keeping dogs has been given a six-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, and banned from keeping animals for 10 years.
Amanda Adams, of Lynton Road, Walcott, was sentenced at Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court yesterday, after admitting she had broken the ban.
The initial order was given last August after she pleaded guilty to two animal welfare charges.
Yesterday, the 48-year-old was also found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a rabbit, and not taking reasonable steps to meet the needs of that rabbit and two others.
Ben Kirby, an RSPCA inspector, told the court how he had gone to Adams's house last year, with a warrant to seize the dogs. When they arrived he said he saw Adams passing puppies over the fence.
Video evidence showed there were dogs in the house and garden and RSPCA officer Laura Sayer also discovered three rabbits in a shed.
She described the shed as dirty and how one rabbit 'had a lesion'.
Adams said the rabbits were not kept there and alleged one of the RSPCA officers moved them.
Prosecuting Hazel Stevens told magistrates: 'The idea that officers of the RSPCA are gong to interfere is ridiculous and goes to underline the discredibility of this defendant.'
Clive Rees, mitigating, said Adams had only kept the dogs as she was lodging an appeal against the initial ban, and had been given legal advise that she could keep them while that was addressed. He said: 'But she was wrongly advised about that, the solicitors have accepted that.'
He added Adams had taken steps to treat the injured rabbit and she was 'adamant' the rabbits were moved.
Chairman of the bench Mrs Bond told Adams: 'We don't find you a credible witness in any way.'
She handed Adams a six-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, as well as a 10-year ban from owning any animal.
As part of the order she will not be able to apply to have it lifted for five years.
She was also ordered to pay £1,000 in costs, and an £80 victim surcharge.
Speaking after the sentencing, Mr Kirby said: 'I'm very satisfied with the result. I'd always like to see a longer ban and we have no doubt we'll be hearing of her again.
'I'd be keen to hear from anyone who, in the future, who thinks Miss Adams might be breaking her order. They can call 0300 1234 999.'
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