A man described by some as 'Britain's Tiger King' has been banned from owning animals for at least five years after he was convicted on animal welfare offences.
Following a trial last year Terrence Moore, 78, was found guilty of four counts of causing unnecessary suffering to animals by failing to seek proper and necessary veterinary care.
He was also convicted on seven counts of using an endangered animal species for commercial gain without a licence, while he was acquitted on eight counts of causing unnecessary suffering and four counts of using endangered species for commercial gain.
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In addition to being banned from owning animals for five years, the 78-year-old was also ordered to pay costs of £14,380.
Moore had founded the Cat Survival Trust in Hertfordshire, but had not had a vet on site to visit his animals for a number of years and said he used the homeopathic product Traumeel while claiming that his animals did not get sick.
However, when officers searched the Cat Survival Trust they found around 26 frozen carcasses of animals which had been stuffed into freezers instead of sent for cremation.
St Albans Crown Court was told that records of death for the animals were not kept so it is not known when or how they died, or whether any attempt was made to determine their cause of death before they were frozen.
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Of the remaining animals that were in the charge of Moore, the Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent and Hertfordshire Zoo have stepped in to vaccinate and rehome them.
A total of 28 rare and endangered cats are in the process of being rehomed, but while new homes are being found for the animals sadly not all of the cats owned by Moore have survived as some had to be put down due to series health conditions.
Cam Whitnall, project lead at the Big Cat Sanctuary, said: “Our mission is to find these cats the best possible forever homes.
“Unfortunately, not all will be able to be rehomed due to significant health issues, but we are committed to giving these beautiful creatures the care and dignity they deserve.”
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Among the animals that have been moved to The Big Cat Sanctuary are Frank, the only Asian Golden Cat in the UK and just one of seven in zoos in Europe, and a Fishing Cat called Boson.
Whitnall said the Big Car Sanctuary was 'very excited' to be looking after the animals 'but devastated that it is under these sad circumstances'.
The cats have had a health check and their status is being monitored to see how they're settling into new enclosures.
Joe Harker