Man banned from keeping animals after letting dog starve

A man from Swindon has been disqualified from keeping animals for five years after leaving his pet dog Tia and her four puppies to starve.

Andi Kilgallon who's 23 and from Pinehurst in Swindon pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the Staffordshire Bull Terriers by failing to meet their needs and not providing them with sufficient food.

After reports from a member of the public, the RSPCA went to the property on Spindletree Court in August this year. Tia was found shaking and in a skeletal state surrounded by her pups, all of which were clearly suffering. All of the dogs were removed from the property and taken to a vet who was shocked at their condition and said that Tia was the skinniest dog that they had ever seen. Sadly two of the dogs, including mother Tia, later had to be put to sleep on veterinary advice.

The defendant was sentenced to a 12-month community order, including 150 hours unpaid work, ordered to pay £200 costs to the RSPCA, a £60 victim surcharge and £150 in court costs, as well as being disqualified from owning any animals for a period of five years.