Pets are considered one of life's greatest gifts. They're loyal, provide comfort and so much love that we question whether we actually deserve them.
And what's that well known saying, or maybe it's just common sense. Don't have a pet if you can't look after it? That's the one.
Well, it seems some people just haven't quite understood - take Celia Hart as an example. She walked out of court earlier this week after leaving her two cats alone in a filthy house for a fortnight, costing one his life.
In what was considered a 'shocking example' of animal neglect, 54-year-old Hart was handed a suspended prison sentence by magistrates at Swansea Magistrates Court.
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Hart, from Margam, Port Talbot, pleaded guilty to two Animal Welfare Act offences after her two cats, Domino and Moses, were left alone in the home which was described as 'squalid'.
The pictures show cobwebs throughout the downstairs of the property, with waste piling up across various rooms. The cats had been left without food or water - leading them both to suffer unnecessarily.
Hart was handed a 12 week prison term, suspended for 12 months, and told to do a 20 day rehabilitation activity requirement, as a consequence of her actions.
She was also banned from keeping any species of animal for a decade, and ordered to pay £300 in costs and a £115 victim surcharge.
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Sadly, the lack of care provided to Moses the cat resulted in him dying. Domino, who was found emaciated and dehydrated, was rushed to a veterinary practice.
Fortunately Domino responded well to emergency treatment and has now been happily re-homed.
If there's any good news to come from this, it's that.
RSPCA inspector, Gemma Cooper, said: "These two defenceless cats were left abandoned, and alone, without food or water in a squalid Port Talbot property.
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"It was a shocking example of animal neglect, with the poor cats given no chance in a locked, filthy property without even basic sustenance.
"The defendant showed significant remorse for her actions. This case highlights how important it is for owners to seek appropriate help for animals if their situation means they are facing problems in providing them with appropriate care.
"Simply, there's no excuse for this sort of neglect - with poor Moses dying as a consequence; and Domino dehydrated and emaciated.
"I shudder to think as to how both these poor felines suffered. Fortunately, our intervention was able to save Domino, who has now been happily rehomed."
This comes after LADbible reported on the woman who was jailed after beating her dog for knocking over coffee.
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Joanne Hosking, 41, lost her temper with the poor dog when it spilled her coffee and leant over to smash it into the floor.
She and her husband neglected to take their 12-month-old Jack Russell to the vet, despite the fact that she was vomiting up green bile.
Hosking and her husband, 45 year old Christopher Hosking - who was not present at the time of the attack - pleaded guilty to animal cruelty offences.
Hosking received an 18 week sentence whereas her husband received a six week curfew.
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Both of them have been banned from owning any animals indefinitely.
We can't help but question, what is wrong with these people?
Featured Image Credit: RSPCATopics: Pet, News, Community, UK, Animals, Cats, court