A woman was banned last week from owning animals for life after dead, slaughtered, and suffering dogs, pigs and birds were found in a Kingston Vale garden.

Animal welfare inspectors discovered a "shocking scene" in Kingston Vale at the height of the pandemic in May 2020 following complaints about the noise and smell coming from a home.

Over 80 animals were taken into care by the Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames, including 23 puppies and dogs, with many needing to spend time at quarantine kennels, and most needing veterinary treatment.

The Dogs Trust cared for and ultimately rehomed all the puppies and dogs rescued.

All of the animals recovered by the council survived and were rehomed, except for one small chick.

As an investigation unfolded, Kingston and City of London inspectors found Micaela Anderson-Letts was selling puppies without a licence, illegally importing a large number of puppies, and falsifying pet passports to get the dogs into the country.

These were also serious breaches of the controls in place to protect the UK from infectious diseases including rabies.

Ms Anderson-Letts, 35, was found guilty of 15 offences at Kingston Crown Court on 7 January for mistreatment, neglect, and numerous breaches of the Animal Welfare Act.

Offences included two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to two pigs and two puppies, and five counts of failing to meet the welfare needs of animals in relation to four pigs, 56 poultry and 14 dogs and puppies.

She was sentenced to 24 months in prison, suspended for two years, and banned for life from owning animals or applying for licences involving animals.

In a post on Facebook, Coombe Hill Council said: "As ward councillors, we have known about this terrible situation for quite some time, although could not mention it while the legal situation was ongoing. The full details, which we have been told of a while ago are enough to give you nightmares.

"We have been strongly supportive of the actions of our colleagues from Licensing, the City of London Corporation and the Police. It has cost a lot in time and money to see this through, but it has been worth it if we are to discourage such heinous actions in the future.

"This was a shocking case of animal cruelty, that we think warranted a custodial sentence. The sentence was 24 months in prison, suspended for two years, and importantly a life-ban from owning animals."