A couple who failed to seek treatment for their elderly cat who had an abscess on his head have been banned from keeping animals for 15 years.

Steven Gates, 49 and Katie Gates, 39, from Meads Avenue in Sittingbourne, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a black feline called Thunder.

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The pair appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court last Friday (April 4).

It was heard Thunder had been found very underweight and had an ulceration to the right side of his head, which made opening his mouth painful.

The 15-year-old moggie was removed from the couple’s home by RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer (ARO) Brian Milligan on animal welfare grounds on August 20 and was taken to a vet.

He was in such a poor state of health that a decision was made to put him to sleep to end his suffering.

ARO Milligan was sent to the couple’s home after a member of the public reported a black cat with injuries and being “wobbly on the back legs”.

The officer said when he arrived, the cat could hardly stand and needed immediate veterinary attention.

He told the court: “Mrs Gates said that her husband was bathing the wounds and he was going to call the vets that night when he got in from work.

“Mrs Gates said she had no money to pay for the vet bill.”

Thunder was rated one out of nine on a body condition score, which is classed as emaciation – the state of being abnormally thin or weak.

A score of five is an ideal weight. The officer also noted that he could feel the cat’s hips, ribs and backbone.

A vet who examined Thunder’s body said the abscess looked like a long-standing injury, typically caused by a cat bite.

He added that the cat had pus and infection in both eyes and ear canal, as well as being infested with fleas.

“The abscess would have been obvious to any reasonable person observing this cat for a month at least and the problems with the eyes and ears would have been evident to any owner for at least seven days,” the vet explained.

The court heard Katie said their pet had been straying and returned home on August 7 or 8, which was 12 days before he was put to sleep.

After failing to seek out necessary vet treatment, the couple also admitted a failure to meet the cats’ needs, contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

“The abscess would have been obvious to any reasonable person observing this cat for a month at least...”

Both will have to do 300 hours of unpaid work, pay out £200 each in court costs and a victim surcharge of £114 each.

As well as being banned, they were handed a 12-month community order under which Katie has to complete 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) days and Steven 15 RAR days.

Speaking after the hearing, RSPCA Deputy Chief Inspector Deborah Rutherford said: “Pets are reliant on their owners to ensure their needs are met and they are kept safe and healthy.

“Ensuring they get appropriate veterinary care when they need it is a key part of the responsibility we have towards them.

“For anyone struggling to meet vet bills, the RSPCA has advice as well as information about charities that can help with costs at our cost of living support telephone helpline on 0300 123 0650 and an online hub.”