Owner who left two dogs outside during freezing Beast from the East given suspended jail term

The owner of two dogs left outside in freezing temperatures during the Beast from the East has been banned from keeping animals for ten years and given a suspended sentence.

Derrick Daniel Dawkins from Gloucester left his two dogs outside in the snow without adequate shelter during last February's freezing spell.

Dessa, an English bull terrier, and Diesel, a Staffordshire terrier, were both found in March 2018 with untreated sores on their legs in a snow-covered yard.

One of the dogs was also found attached to a tangled chain.

Dawkins was given an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, and a ban on keeping any animal for ten years when he appeared in court on Friday 15 March.

He also paid £750 in court costs.

RSPCA Inspector Phil Mann said: "As temperatures dropped below zero and snow covered the country, Dessa and Diesel were outside day and night without appropriate shelter.

"When I saw them locked outside, I feared that if I didn't help them straight away there would have been two dead dogs the following morning."

Dessa and Diesel have now recovered and are being cared for at the Cotswold Dogs and Cats Home.

The team are working with Diesel to get him ready for a new home but are actively looking for new owners for five-year-old Dessa.

They describe the English bull terrier as a dog "who loves nothing more than spending time with people and playing with toys, and is best suited to a home with no other animals or children".

According to staff, Dessa is looking for an experienced owner with time and patience. She hasn't had much life experience and can find new environments overwhelming, but is slowly learning it's "okay to snuggle up on the sofa".

For more information, visit Dessa's profile.