Telford couple banned from keeping animals
A couple from Telford have been disqualified from keeping animals for 10 years after they admitted causing unnecessary suffering to their two Dalmatian dogs.
Neil and Julie Harris of Leadon Close, Little Dawley, appeared at Telford Magistrates’ Court yesterday. They were also found guilty of a charge of failing to meet the welfare needs of the dogs by failing to provide adequate bedding.
In addition to the disqualification, Neil Harris was given a 150-hour community service order and a 26 week prison sentence, suspended for a year. Julie Harris was given a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for a year. Each were ordered to pay £500 in costs and an £80 victim surcharge.
The court heard that the dogs, called Porsha and Enzo, were found in February this year. They were kept tied to a kitchen wall by their leads and had no bedding available. Two-year-old liver and white coloured Enzo weighed 19.2kgs, about nine kilos less than an ideal weight for a dog of his type. Ten-year-old black and white Porsha weighed just 15.8kgs.
RSPCA inspector Nayman Dunderdale said: "It was a very distressing case for everyone involved. These poor dogs were found extremely emaciated and with a number of serious problems.
"I'm glad the magistrates took this case very seriously and this is reflected in the sentencing.
"These dogs are absolutely lovely and are up for rehoming and I just hope they go on to have a very happy, healthy life with new owners that will treat them with the love and respect they so greatly deserve."
The Dalmatians are being cared for at the RSPCA Gonsal Farm Animal Centre near Shrewsbury. Anyone interested in rehoming them can contact the centre on 0300 123 0753 or visit http://www.rspca.org.uk/local/-/rspca/gonsal-farm-animal-centre/
