Man convicted of starving his dog 'to the point of emaciation'

The court ruled Mr Ashman can not have another dog for five years. Credit: RSPCA

A man has been convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to a Lurcher and her puppy by not giving the female dog enough food leaving her emaciated.

Father-of-two Kyle Ashman, pleaded guilty to the charges at HartlepoolMagistrates Court.

The court heard that Ashman, 25, had been left unable to cope after losing his job and being left alone to look after his two children - aged three and one - along with nine animals, after the children's mother walked out.

John Ellwood, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said the charity's inspectors were tipped off about the dogs and called round to the house where they found the female, Coco, "starved to the point of emaciation" with her seven puppies.

Mr Ellwood said all the animals have made a recovery while in the RSPCA's care.

Most of the other puppies were underweight as Coco could not produce enough milk but one, the runt, was in a particularly bad state. Credit: RSPCA

Tony Jackson, mitigating, said: "I have seen cases of people who have been deliberately cruel. This is not a case like that. He has not caused deliberate harm."

Ashman, of Kirkstone Close, Houghton-le-Spring, Sunderland, was sentenced to 12 weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months.

He must give up his remaining dog and can not have another dog for five years. He was also ordered to pay £500 in court costs.