Selby man banned from keeping animals
The RSPCA says five dogs were kept in squalor.
A man from Selby has been banned from keeping all mammals for ten years, after five dogs were rescued from poor living conditions by the RSPCA.
Edward Ernest Lees, of Grange Meadows, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a Jack Russell Terrier, named Sam, by failing to seek treatment for severe dental disease.
The 39-year-old also admitted failing to meet the needs of five dogs, after they were found living among piles of excrement and empty food bowls.
On her first visit, RSPCA Inspector Laura Jones saw two Jack Russell Terriers at the window, and heard more dogs in an outbuilding.
She placed across the doors, along with notices asking the owner to contact her, but the next day, the tape was still intact, indicating nobody had entered the property.
With the help of Police, she gained entry to the property.
"Totally inadequate environment"
Inspector Laura Jones said: "When I opened the door to the sitting room where the two dogs were being kept the stench of ammonia hit me instantly and made my eyes water.
"There was no food or water available in the sitting room for these dogs, I could just see three empty bowls on the floor and two empty 10kg plastic sacks of dog biscuits which were next to a pile of excrement.
"The floor was also wet with what appeared to be urine. The dogs had a red fluffy blanket on the floor and a sofa with exposed rusty springs and there was a significant large pile of dry and wet excrement in the right hand corner of the sitting room.
“This was clearly a totally inadequate environment for these dogs and I was so relieved to be able to take them into our care and bring them to safety to get them the care they needed."
The dogs were removed and assessed by a vet who found that the tan and white dog Sam was underweight with rotting teeth, gingivitis, severe dehydration, a flea infestation and he weighed around 4kg less than he should.
The vet report concluded: "I feel that Sam was suffering. The suffering included severe dental pain, numerous open wounds, severe dehydration, active infections.
"His extremely poor body condition meant he was succumbing to organ failure due to lack of any form of nutrition, he had no fat reserves."
In mitigation, Lees said that the dogs had initially belonged to a relative but he took them on when they passed away. He was having financial problems and grieving and the situation spiralled out of control. He also entered an early guilty plea.
He was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 140 hours of unpaid work and he was also disqualified from keeping all mammals for 10 years. He was also ordered to pay £300 costs and a victim surcharge of £95.