Halifax dog owner gets suspended sentence after Staffie put down following serious neglect
In a statement to the court, an RSPCA inspector said Rocco was found “wrapped in a blanket, in a collapsed state and barely moving”.
A Halifax dog owner has been handed a 20 week suspended jail term, for neglecting her Staffie so badly it had to be put down.
19 year old Paige Laverty, of Illingworth Road, admitted causing one year old Rocco unnecessary suffering by failing to feed him properly, or take him to the vets after he started to lose weight.
In a statement to the court, an RSPCA inspector said Rocco was found “wrapped in a blanket, in a collapsed state and barely moving”.
“He seemed very lifeless, not moving and when the blanket was opened it was clear that he was extremely skinny.
“His ribs, spine and hip bones were clearly prominent. His skull was clearly visible which showed significant muscle wastage.”
The vet’s statement on Rocco said he was suffering from muscle loss, urine scalding, dehydration, low temperature and an inability to move.
He ultimately had to be put down for his own wellbeing.
In mitigation, the defence denied the neglect was intentional.
Laverty was handed a suspended jail term at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court, along with a 10 year ban on keeping animals. She will serve 25 days of rehabilitation, pay around £600 in fines and costs and carry out 250 hours of unpaid work.