A widow has been spared jail after RSPCA inspectors found eight dead pets in her home, and had to put down a further seven.

Rosalind Cormack, 58, left 16 pets including cats, rabbits and a dog, trapped inside the property in Knowle, Bristol, for weeks.

Neighbours alerted the RSPCA when Cormack failed to return and they noticed a terrible smell and flies around the house.

Police forced entry after an RSPCA inspector discovered the head of a dead cat in a wheelie bin outside, Bristol Magistrates’ Court heard.

Officers were hit by an “unbearable stench” and found seven dead pets, including three cats, a dog, two rabbits and a hamster.

Five cats and three kittens were discovered alive but in a terrible condition - all but one of which had to be put down by vets.

Cormack told inspectors four of the pets had died before she left the property, with some left there for up to four months.

She later admitted three offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and was handed a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

Tim Pursley, chair of magistrates, said: “We note from the video and the photographs the extent of neglect, the number of animals involved, the prolonged nature of the neglect and are in no doubt that those animals involved will have suffered a high degree of distress and suffering.

“You are now disqualified from owning, keeping, having control of or having involvement in the control or care of any animals.

“This disqualification will be for life.”

Prosecuting for the RSPCA, Lindi Meyer said RSPCA inspector Kimily Walters went to Cormack’s property on August 14 last year.

Ms Meyer said: “She noticed there were flies on the window and a strange smell.

“The inspector attended again the next day and there was no reply. She returned the following day, on August 16.

“A tortoiseshell cat was at the kitchen window trying to get out. Another cat was at the letterbox, clawing to get out of the property.

“She looked in a black bin outside the property and saw the head of a black cat. Police were called.”

One police officer said: “The stench was unbearable, making it impossible to breathe through my nose.”

There were several bowls of food and water around the cluttered home, which was strewn with animal faeces and corpses.

The tortoiseshell female cat, named Mimi, was trapped in the kitchen as a dead tan collie dog was wedged in the door.

A white kitten was found dead on the stairs, covered in fleas. A white cat was discovered dead in Cormack’s bedroom.

Officers also found a dead tan hamster in a filthy cage in a front bedroom and two rabbits dead in their hutch in the garden. Another dead kitten was discovered in Cormack’s lounge.

In interview, Cormack said the dog had been dead for up to a month, while the rabbits and hamster had died up to four months ago.

She claimed three of the dead cats had been alive when she left, though admitted they were thin and had fleas.

Inspectors took the eight cats for treatment and found all were suffering from cat flu, fleas and had behavioural problems.

“All but one had to be euthanised,” Ms Meyer added.

Representing Cormack, John Stokes said his client had been left depressed following the death of her husband in 2007.

Mr Stokes said: “He died from a liver complaint.

“She married him at home 13 days prior to his death.

“Since the death of her husband there has been an emotional slide in her life. She effectively gave up with life.

“She is truly remorseful so far as her actions are concerned.”

Cormack, who does not have any previous convictions, was ordered to pay £1,000 towards prosecution costs and an £80 victim surcharge.