Couple kept Dalmatians starved and tied to a wall

Two-year-old Enzo weighed 19.2kg when he was found starving and tied up by RSPCA inspectors Credit: RSPCA

A couple from Telford have been banned from keeping animals for 10 years after RSPCA inspectors found their two Dalmatians starving and tied to a kitchen wall.

Neil Harris, 49, and Julie Harris, 42, from Leadon Close, Little Dawley, appeared at Telford Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday. They were found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering and failing to meet the welfare needs of their dogs.

Neil Harris was also given a 150-hour community service order and a 26-week prison sentence, suspended for a year. Julie Harris was given a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for a year. They were each ordered to pay £500 in costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

Porsha and Enzo were found tied to a kitchen wall by their leads and without bedding to sleep in, this February.

Two-year-old Enzo weighed only 19.2kg - about nine kilos less than an ideal weight for a dog of his type.

Ten-year-old black and white Porsha weighed just 15.8kg.

Neil and Julie Harris were sentenced at Telford Magistrates' Court Credit: Joe Giddens/PA Archive/Press Association Images

The dogs are now being cared for at the RSPCA Gonsal Farm Animal Centre near Shrewsbury.

Anyone interested in rehoming them can contact the centre on 0300 123 0753.