A WOMAN has been banned from owning animals - apart from dogs - for 20 years after she admitted abandoning two exotic pets.

Tammy Jackson, 22, of New Street, Milnsbridge, pleaded guilty to abandoning a royal python and a spiny-tailed lizard without reasonable cause or excuse in circumstances likely to cause unnecessary suffering.

Huddersfield magistrates fined her £125 for each offence and ordered her to pay £100 towards legal costs, which topped £2,000.

Mr Anthony Cumming, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said police went to Jackson's former home, a rented house in Sunningdale Road, Crosland Moor, last November after hearing the front door had been kicked in.

A rottweiler was found and taken to kennels and her landlord, Mr Ian Rutter, also believed she had a snake and a lizard at the house.

A message was left on Jackson's mobile phone. But despite repeated attempts she did not call Mr Rutter.

On November 11, an RSPCA inspector put tape round the house door and returned daily for the next three days. But the tape remained intact.

RSPCA staff called Mr Rutter and the police to gain access. They found the house dark and cold. In the living room was a tank containing a royal python and one with a lizard.

Neither had food, heat or lighting, although there was some water for the snake.

A notice was put on a window telling Jackson to call the RSPCA and messages were left on her phone. On December 19 arrangements were made to meet.

Jackson admitted having lived there and said Mr Rutter had told her to leave because of a number of break-ins. She told him she would need to feed the animals and tried to ring him every day for two weeks, but without success.

He said he believed she had a key for the back door. She agreed she did not contact the RSPCA and said she thought Mr Rutter would feed the animals.

Mr Andrew Dinning, for Jackson, said she loved her pets.

"The house had been subject to break-ins and although she had a key for the back door it was in the house. Once it had been boarded up she could not get in.

"She was homeless with a young child. Her priority was to get re-housed," he added.

Jackson appeared in court heavily pregnant and walking with crutches after shattering her pelvis and six ribs in a fall.