Yahoo News Walker man, 21, banned from keeping animals after starving two dogs - one of them to death
A man has been banned from keeping animals after starving two dogs - one of them to death.
Kian Declan Rourke caused the two dogs, gold-coloured cocker spaniel Charlie and liver and white springer spaniel Lola, unnecessary suffering. The 21-year-old, from Newcastle, failed to feed them properly and failing to investigate their poor body conditions.
The RSPCA launched an investigation after one-year-old Charlie was taken into a vet in Wallsend, North Tyneside, described as being unconscious after hitting his head. However the vets who urgently examined him discovered he was sadly dead.
He weighed just 4.5kg (9.9lb) and Rourke told staff he couldn't afford to feed him.
Inspector Lucy Green, who led the investigation, said in her witness statement: "The vet said he was emaciated, had faeces in his mouth and that they had been given three different accounts of what had happened to [him]. Charlie’s body was covered in fleas and flea dirt and all his ribs were visible along with his hips and spine.
"They stated Rourke told them he had been trying to rehome the dog for months. They knew there was another dog on file so told him to bring the other dog in for a vet visit due to concerns over Charlie being emaciated. Lola was then brought into the vets."
Eighteen-month-old Lola weighed 6.2kg (13.7lb) and had a body condition score of one. An idea score is is four or five out of nine, and one is extremely underweight.
Lola was signed over to the RSPCA. She was cared for by the team at RSPCA Northumberland West brand before being adopted.
Another vet, who looked at Charlie's body, said: "On examination of the body, there was no clear indication of cause of death – other than from starvation. This dog would have been suffering for a period of time greater than four weeks."
Rourke, of Welbeck Road, Walker, pleaded guilty to three offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 at Newcastle Magistrates' Court.
On June 21, he was sentenced to 18 weeks custody, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid work and 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
He was also disqualified from keeping animals for five years and ordered to pay a £154 victim surcharge.
Following the hearing, Lucy said: "We know that times are tough for a lot of people and we want to remind everyone that there is help out there if you’re struggling to care for your pets.
"Our Cost of Living hub online has lots of information and advice for caring for your pets on a budget and we’re also running our pet food bank scheme to provide pet food to communities across England and Wales.
"If you’re struggling to care for your pet, please don’t let them suffer - please ask for help."
