Woman ordered to pay $27k after kittens found in freezer

Karen Maree Blake, a 67-year-old Tasmanian woman, has been handed a suspended six-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to 21 counts of animal cruelty and one count of animal management. The charges stem from the discovery of nearly 70 cats living in squalid conditions and a dozen kittens found dead in her freezer. In December 2024, RSPCA inspectors were called to Blake's Midway Point home due to complaints about overbreeding and unsanitary living conditions.

Upon inspection, inspectors found the property in a state of squalor, with rubbish and feces covering every surface. Twelve of the kittens were discovered dead in the freezer, and several others were found decomposing around the house. The RSPCA seized 69 cats and two dogs from Blake's property. Blake, who was a registered cat breeder, has been ordered to pay $27,000 to the RSPCA to cover veterinary and boarding costs for the seized animals.

Additionally, she is prohibited from owning any cats or dogs, except for her current dog, for a period of five years. The court heard that Blake had suffered from mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and agoraphobia, and was physically ill, which may have contributed to her inability to properly care for the animals.

Magistrate Chris Webster emphasized the seriousness of the case, noting the long history of neglect and the warning signs present in the number of animals that had died. The RSPCA's leading inspector, Ally Hoyle, expressed satisfaction with the sentence, stating that it serves as a deterrent for future reoffending.