A MAN from Saltash has been given a suspended prison sentence and banned from keeping animals for 10 years after his two-year-old XL bully dog starved to death.

Joshua Allan Owen, 23, of Albert Road, was sentenced at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (October 14), after admitting two animal welfare offences relating to Hazel.

The dog had lost 43 per cent of her recorded body weight when she was taken to a veterinary practice in October last year, with her skeletal body described as extremely emaciated.

Hazel had last been seen by vets in June, meaning she lost almost half her body weight in just four months.

An investigation by the RSPCA found that she died after being deprived of food over a prolonged period, suffering what a veterinary report described as significant and unnecessary suffering.

RSPCA inspector James Farr was contacted by Albert Cottage Vets on October 23 after Owen brought Hazel to the practice. Owen reportedly said his dog was alive, but had collapsed as he loaded her into his car. However, she was dead on arrival at the vets.

Inspector Farr said Hazel’s skeletal bones were prominent, her eyes were deeply sunken and her nails were excessively long, particularly on her front paws. She weighed just 19.3kg and was given a body condition score of one out of nine.

A postmortem examination revealed the extent of Hazel’s suffering. She had lost 43 per cent of her body weight, with her entire muscle mass depleted and no fat remaining in the usual stores around her body and organs.

The examination also found a heavy flea burden, signs of dehydration and stomach bleeding caused by ulcers. Enlarged adrenal glands indicated prolonged stress associated with long-term undernutrition.

There was no evidence of a natural illness that could explain her condition.

The veterinary report concluded: “This dog died as a result of a lack of access to food over a long period of time. It is my professional opinion that without any doubt this dog suffered terribly and that her suffering was unnecessary.”

Inspector Farr spent 10 and a half weeks trying to contact Owen, including calling his mobile, visiting his address and sending a letter, before Owen agreed to an interview at Saltash police station on January 6.

The court heard in mitigation that Owen had no previous convictions and was a vulnerable adult supported by his family. He had taken Hazel in from somebody else in an attempt to save her but had been unable to afford veterinary treatment. The court also heard that he was very remorseful.

Owen was sentenced to 18 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for one year, for failing to provide Hazel with adequate food and water. He received a further 12-week suspended sentence for failing to protect her from pain, suffering, injury or disease.

He was also disqualified from keeping all animals for 10 years, with no application to end the ban permitted for five years, and ordered to pay a £140 victim surcharge.

The offences were committed in breach of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

The dog had lost 43 per cent of her recorded body weight when she was taken to a veterinary practice in October last year
The dog had lost 43 per cent of her recorded body weight when she was taken to a veterinary practice in October last year (RSPCA)