THE public is easily outraged by cruelty and neglect of animals, often more so than for violence committed against adults.

It is an emotional response and an understandable one, although often our courts will endeavour to put those sentiments aside when they deliver their sentences.

They feel they cannot be seen to be swayed by public reaction.

Judge Tim Pattinson, in our view, has got the sentences for Angela and Robert Russell absolutely right, particularly the former, given that she was jailed for the maximum six months available.

It is unlikely that the Russells set out to create the horror hotel for animals that Crunchy’s became, but it is obvious they were ill-equipped to run such an operation.

And it is equally apparent they then did very little, if anything, to try to correct it when it all went so wrong and animals were suffering in inhumane conditions.

Angela Russell even tried to blame the inspectors who uncovered this abuse as many of the family tried to lie their way out of any responsibility.

All that did was confirm their absolute indifference to the suffering they caused and it is that which condemns them as much as anything.