Woman Receives Lifetime Animal Ban After Hoxton Flat Raid Uncovers 21 Cats, Dog and Python
A woman has been prohibited from keeping animals for life after authorities discovered twenty-one cats, a dog and a python living in what they described as filthy and dangerous conditions within an east London flat.
Investigation Triggered by Severely Ill Cat
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) launched an inquiry in January 2025 after a veterinary surgery raised the alarm about a cat brought in for treatment in a severely unwell state. Despite attempts at emergency care, the animal had to be euthanised.
Animal Rescue Officer Michael Harrington traced the cat's ownership to thirty-eight-year-old Rachel Xie Yin, who investigators discovered was already subject to a legal ban on owning animals. It was found that she had registered her pets under various different names across multiple veterinary practices.
Squalid Conditions Discovered in Hoxton Property
In February last year, RSPCA officers, accompanied by police, visited a flat in the Hoxton area of east London. Inside, they found the animals living in what inspectors called dirty and hazardous surroundings.
RSPCA Inspector Lee Ricketts provided a stark description of the scene: ‘I saw three litter trays all of which contained faeces. I saw one bowl containing water which I had been informed was placed there by police just prior to me entering the property and had several cats crowding round it.’
He added, ‘There were faeces and what appeared to be diarrhoea on the bedding in the bedroom and faeces in the bath containing blood.’ The officer noted a dog roaming freely and a python housed in a vivarium—a controlled tank typically maintained at a specific temperature—that had been switched off at the wall.
All animals were immediately seized from the address and taken to a veterinary clinic for thorough assessment.
Multiple Cats Found Suffering from Neglect and Illness
Veterinary examinations revealed that nine of the cats were in poor health and that their fundamental welfare needs had been neglected.
A veterinary surgeon who assessed the animals stated: ‘Nine of the cats had health conditions including ear disease, eye disease, poor body condition, fever and dental disease. Many of the animals showed signs of neglect, including faecal soiling and matted fur.’
The surgeon concluded, ‘This demonstrates that they were not having their needs met through regular and timely veterinary care. The dirty environment may also have contributed to their poor condition.’
Court Appearance and Sentencing
Rachel Xie Yin appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court last Wednesday, 21 January. She admitted to breaching a lifetime disqualification from keeping animals that had been originally imposed back in June 2015. She also pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the welfare of the nine cats under her care.
In her defence, Xie Yin told the court she believed the original lifetime ban had expired. She explained that she loved animals but had taken in too many from friends who were frequently travelling between the United Kingdom and China.
The magistrates handed down a further lifetime ban on owning or keeping any animals. Xie Yin was ordered to pay £500 in costs and received a 14-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months. Additionally, she must complete 15 days of Rehabilitation Activity Requirements, 40 hours of unpaid work, and pay a victim surcharge of £154.
