A woman who starved her pet cat to death has been banned from pet ownership for life. 

Sarah Jane Morrissey was accused of not safeguarding her pet's welfare, causing it unnecessary suffering and being reckless regarding its health and welfare in September 2021.

The ISPCA had received a report about the cat in the defendant's home and an inspector visited four times in a week with no answer.

ISPCA inspector Fiona Conlon outlined how she could hear the young male cat in "distress"; when she returned for the final follow-up check, Morrissey was home and handed over the cat.

The inspector said the pet was on the verge of death at that stage - it was rushed to a vet but eventually had to be put down.

Photos were handed out in court, and the inspector said she had video evidence too - but Judge Halpin said he wouldn't be able to watch because the pictures made him "physically sick."

He said the animal was starved to death, and he agreed with a request from prosecuting counsel Matthew Holmes to make an order to disqualify Morrissey from ever having an animal again.

Judge Halpin issued a bench warrant to have her arrested and brought before the court to be sentenced. 

Main image: An ill cat. Picture by: Alamy.com