A mother and her teenage son who starved their pet dog to death were today facing being locked up.
The emaciated body of German shepherd Kai, who was just half the ideal weight for the breed, was discovered in a heap of clothing at the Wolverhampton home shared by Amanda Kerr and her son Jay.
The dog, who was two or three, had only lived with the family for eight months and weighed just over 14kg when found.
Vets said it had “suffered considerably” and was so thin that bones on its face, haunches and ribs were clearly visible.
RSPCA inspectors visited the house in Vicarage Road, All Saints, after being alerted by a concerned neighbour who saw the dog collapsed in the back garden, Wolverhampton Magistrates Court was told.
The mother and son both pleaded guilty to failing to provide the dog with an adequate diet and with the necessary veterinary care when they appeared before the court yesterday.
Roger Price, prosecuting, said RSPCA inspectors had found the pet’s body in a downstairs bathroom amid a bundle of clothes.
“Mr Kerr said the dog had died the night before,” he told the court.
The court heard the starving animal had collapsed and died on November 26 after weeks of not being fed properly. It was told Jay Kerr, aged 19, had recently been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.
In a statement by Amanda Kerr read out in court, the 41-year-old apologised for Kai’s death and said she had been busy with work.
She said: “There were plans to rehome Kai and I deeply regret the loss of this beautiful dog.
“I wish I hadn’t been so wrapped up in my job but I was the sole breadwinner.”
Magistrates adjourned the case until July 29 for sentencing. Chair of the bench Maureen Thomas warned the Kerrs that all options, including custody, were being considered.
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