Ban for neglect of pet dog

Tracey Fenton, from Rowley Regis, also owned five other healthy Japanese Akitas and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

But Warley magistrates heard that between October 2007 and January 2008, her five-year-old female dog called Chew was found by RSPCA officers weighing just 15.9kg when the average weight should have been at least 30kg. The 30-year-old, from Bellview Road, denied causing unnecessary suffering to the dog.

But following a trial, District Judge Michael Morris dismissed Fenton's claims that she had fed the dog properly and ordered her to pay £600 in costs and complete 140 hours of unpaid community work.

Veterinary surgeon Steven O'Dell, from Manor Vets in Cradley Heath, examined Chew after a visit by the RSPCA to Fenton's home on January 3.

"I can see no other reason after examining the dog as to what caused this loss of weight other than it was just not being fed properly," he told the court yesterday.

"After three months of adequate feeding she appears to be much better."

Fenton told the court she was spending up to £30 a month on dog food and that she had bought worming tablets to stop Chew's weight loss.

But she said she could not afford to take her to the vets for treatment. Trevor Bytheway, defending, said: "My client loved her dogs but was experiencing some financial difficulties after her partner left her."

Chew is now in the care of new owners.