AN ISLE of Wight man neglected kittens he had designs on selling, and the appalling living conditions he left them in meant one had to be put down, and two had to have eyes removed.

Neil Cain, of The Broadway, Totland Bay, appeared before Isle of Wight magistrates on Tuesday, April 9.

The 62-year-old admitted seven counts of breach of duty of a person responsible for an animal to ensure welfare, between July 13, 2023, and July 20, 2023.

In a case brought by the RSPCA, prosecutor, Sarah Wheadon, said the case concerned kittens with various untreated ailments.

She said two kittens had to have eyes removed, and one had to be put down, owing to the unhygienic, hazardous environment they were living in, which reeked of faeces and urine.

The court heard the case involved prolonged neglect in a commercial context, and there was evidence of Cain selling kittens.

Ms Wheadon said the kittens had been left no fresh water to drink when the house was inspected.

They had been left unsupervised for a four-day period, and Cain had ignored previous advice, failing to meet the needs of the animals.

Cain saw his case adjourned to June 4 for sentencing at the same venue.

He was granted unconditional bail until that hearing, and an all-options pre-sentence report was ordered.

The court heard five kittens had since been signed over to the RSPCA, and another would soon join them.