Ban over dogs left to starve
An unemployed Wolverhampton couple who left their dogs to starve in a filthy garden littered with droppings, rusty tools and an old carving knife have been banned from keeping animals for life.
An unemployed Wolverhampton couple who left their dogs to starve in a filthy garden littered with droppings, rusty tools and an old carving knife have been banned from keeping animals for life.
District Judge Shamim Qureshi told Christopher Owen and Kayleigh Cuthbert that they had become the "torturers" of golden labrador Max and husky Molly.
Magistrates heard there were scratch marks on the couple's back door where the dogs had tried to get inside.
Molly was so scared of the outdoors after being kept in the filthy garden that she had to be carried outside, Wolverhampton Magistrates Court was told.
The dogs lived in a dirty outdoor kennel which had wet bedding and they would carry the discarded rusty tools in their mouths, .
District Judge Qureshi sentenced the pair to four months in prison yesterday, suspended for two years, and ordered them to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work.
He was shocked to hear mother-of-one Cuthbert had completed a course in health and social care.
The dogs' plight came to the attention of the RSPCA after an officer looked into the garden in Sharrocks Street, Horseley Fields, by chance on December 7.
Max weighed just 14kg, instead of the ideal 27kg.
The court heard Max's bones were clearly visible, he had an infection of live ear mites, was at risk of hypothermia and had rubbed away the fur on his paws as a result of stress.
Mr Roger Price, prosecuting, said Molly was very possessive of food. No dog food was found in the house at all.
He said: "In their garden was a tree saw and that was clearly a hazard for the dogs. The ground was devoid of grass and contaminated with droppings. It was also littered with rubbish."
Cuthbert, aged 20, and 27-year-old Owen admit failing to provide an animal with a sufficient diet, ensure veterinary attention, provide a suitable environment and protect an animal from pain, suffering and disease.
Mr Suresh Joshi, defending, said the pair had no previous convictions.
The cost of the case was £2,071 and both were order-ed to pay back £500 each as they are on benefits.
District Judge Qureshi said: "Emaciation is a form of torture." Both dogs have now recovered and been rehoused.