Lifetime ban for Dudley pair who kept 16 pets in squalid conditions

They were called after the pair were evicted from their previous address in Chestnut Drive, Dudley, on January 11. Magistrates heard the 15-year-old was treated by a vet but had to be put down as the dog had only been able to move its head and had a tumour on its stomach.

Five snakes, two cats, three birds, two lizards, a gerbil and two mice were also at the home.

Mr Griffin, 57, and Miss Griffin, 55, of Stourbridge Road, Brierley Hill, each received a 12-week jail term suspended for 12 months and 150 hours unpaid work.

They were told to pay court costs of £779 – a total of £1,558 between them, alongside the lifetime ban.

Other animals, including snakes, were kept. Although their cages had not been cleaned they had access to food and water and were in a "reasonable condition".

The pair previously admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the dog and to not providing a suitable environment for the animal which was hygienic.

Unrecognisable

Mrs Gaynor Sutton, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said: "The dog was lying in the living room just behind the door. It was on its left side and was at first sight unrecognisable.

"The officer checked the dog's stomach and could count the bones and ribs.

"The house was squalid and filthy. The carpet was covered in general filth.

"A police officer described the smell as the worst he had ever smelt."

Mrs Sutton said vets found the dog was dehydrated and had arthritis.

Mr Tim Gascoyne, defending, said: "They have taken responsibility for what they have done and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

"They did not know about the tumour and say the dog was given food. They did not know why the animal was losing weight." Miss Griffin tried to clean the dog but said it had growled at her.