A WOMAN who lived in a cramped and squalid campervan with 11 dogs has been banned from keeping animals.
The pooches were found lying next to foul-smelling bowls containing their own faeces in a filthy trailer parked at a Southampton roadside.
One elderly dog needed urgent attention for an injured leg and severe arthritis after being deprived of veterinary care.
Now owner Brigitta Fazekes has been banned from keeping pets for two years after being sentenced for animal cruelty.
She screamed abuse and obscenities at RSPCA staff as she left the hearing at Southampton Magistrates’ Court, vowing to fight the order and get her dogs back.
Fazekes, 56, of no fixed address, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
The court heard how she was living with eight adult dogs and three puppies in a white campervan after being evicted from her home.
Police discovered the camper van broken down in Stoneham Lane on April 15 last year.
Six collies were on the front seat and middle partitions, while another two, including a mother with three suckling puppies, were in the back.
Prosecutor Sarah Wheadon said: “There was dry food, no water and a large black tray with a towel covered in faeces.”
Two bowls containing more faeces were in the front passenger footwell, she told the court.
The court heard how Fazekes, who was trying to fix the vehicle, became “hysterical” when the RSPCA confiscated the animals.
Vets assessed them and one – a tan and white collie called Pearl, 11 – was found to have a severely lame left foot, severe arthritis in both elbows, was overweight and had been vomiting.
She was immediately given anti-inflammatories and nutritional supplements.
The others appeared to be in acceptable health.
In mitigation, Fazekes said that she had trained the animals to defecate in bowls, which were emptied at least once a day.
Barrister Richard Harris, for Fazekes, told the court: “Living in a caravan isn’t ideal but certainly there’s care being taken of them.”
But magistrate Trevor Vidler imposed a 24- month conditional discharge during which Fazekes is banned from owning animals.
Afterwards Fazekes, who intends to appeal the decision, said: “They’ve taken my soul.”
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