A man convicted of cat cruelty charges has lost his appeal against paying the RSPCA £29,534 - and been ordered to pay a further £15,626. Victor Matevos (59) failed to turn up for the appeal hearing for the third time at Leicester Crown Court. The appeal was dismissed, with extra costs awarded to the animal charity. Matevos was prosecuted earlier this year and found guilty of cruelty after the RSPCA seized more than 30 ailing cats from his home in Milton Crescent, Beaumont Leys, last June, July and September. The whole colony were flea-infected and suffering from cat flu. Because Matevos refused to relinquish ownership into the care of the RSPCA, 32 of the pets have been in a cattery for up to 11 months at a cost of £5 a day per animal, while legal proceedings have dragged on. The dismissal of the appeal now means the RSPCA finally has control over the animals which can now be re-homed. If Matevos had handed the cats over when they were first seized he would not have been liable for any costs. Matevos, who denied he had been cruel, was banned for life from keeping animals. He was originally ordered to pay the RSPCA £29,534 for cat boarding and vets fees, including £700 costs. Since then, an additional £12,806 boarding and vet fees, with £2,800 court costs have amassed. Dismissing the appeal, Judge Michael Pert QC said Matevos would have to pay all the fees and costs - now totalling £45,160. He said: "I express the hope there are no more outstanding appeals and the matter can be brought to some conclusion." Mr Fayyaz Afzal, for the respondents, said: "We intend to take enforcement action to get the costs." It could mean that Matevos loses his home. RSPCA officer, Sally Kearns, said: "This is good news for the cats." Matevos was prosecuted under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, making it a new offence to fail in the duty of care to an animal. |