Dog found 'close to death with protruding bones' as benefit-claiming woman 'couldn't afford vets'

A Teesside pair have been prosecuted after a starving lurcher was 'close to death' after being left outside without bedding or shelter.

The RSPCA took action against Levi Swift and Bethany Greener with the Hartlepool pair banned from keeping animals for ten years.

Swift, 21, of Cornwall Street, and Greener, 29, of Hutton Avenue, both pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a lurcher dog called Elsie by failing to provide adequate nutrition for the canine's needs over a period of six weeks.

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They appeared for sentencing at Teesside Magistrates' Court on March 26 where magistrates imposed the disqualifications and fined them both £80. The court heard the pair failed to provide adequate nutrition for Elsie over a period of around six weeks.

RSPCA Insp Claire Wilson said in a statement to the court that she went to Hutton Avenue on December 1, last year, after a complaint was made from a member of the public about two dogs left outside the property without shelter or bedding. One was said to be very thin and the caller described her as being "close to death".

The inspector said: "It was immediately obvious that Elsie was in extremely poor body condition and emaciated. I could see all her bones protruding through her rough coat and could see her full spine, ribs, pelvic bones and shoulder bones without putting my hands on her. When I did stroke her the bones were spiky to touch and she hardly had any muscle visible. She also had hair loss along her spine."

Greener told the inspector the dog belonged to her partner and they had rescued her two months earlier when she claimed she was in a "much worse condition with very little fur and struggling to stand". The inspector added: "She (Greener) then said that she couldn't afford to take the dogs to a vet as she only had £5 left from benefits at the end of the month once her bills came out."

The couple consented for the inspector to take Elsie to a vets where she received treatment and she was later transferred to private boarding kennels used by the RSPCA. A vet expert report stated that Elsie would have been suffering for at least six weeks because she was in an emaciated state.

Following two weeks in RSPCA care, the brindle-coloured lurcher put on more than 3kg in weight and has since made a good recovery. The court ordered a deprivation order against Swift and Greener to place Elsie in the care of the animal charity, which will rehome her.

The couple were also told to pay a victim surcharge of £32 each and cover the costs of vet fees.

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