Date for cruelty case

A SEAFORD woman is due to appear in court on Monday charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a menagerie of small furry pets.

RSPCA inspectors seized up to 300 gerbils, hamsters, mice, rats chinchillas and guinea pigs at the Vale Road home of 39-year-old Ute Siewert in November last year.

Also found were exotic animals including maras, which are rodents the size of small dogs, squirrel-like animals called sugar gliders, fat tailed mice and rats, and African dwarf dormice.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between October 24 and 31.

At a preliminary hearing last month Siewert pleaded not guilty to all charges.

After being taken to RSPCA animal centres the seized animals were found new homes.