Two people have been banned from owning and looking after animals for the next 10 years after RSPCA inspectors found they had let dogs suffer.
Ronald Andrews and Lyndsay Rich were also handed suspended prison sentences due to the ‘horrendous’ condition they let the animals in their care fall into.
RSPCA inspector Jo Daniels investigated after the organisation was alerted by neighbours who were concerned for the dogs.
During her visit back in May, she saw a white and brindle Staffordshire bull terrier named Oscar who had extensive hair loss and obvious sores.
Oscar had areas of wet-affected skin and scabs and the skin was reddened. There was a foul smell coming from his mouth also.
A second dog, a Jack Russell terrier called Kimmy, was also found to have extensive hair loss and an extremely heavy flea infestation.
The RSPCA says her bad breath indicated dental issues, while the claws on her feet were also overgrown and some were ingrowing into her pads.
Andrews agreed to allow the dogs to be examined by a vet, where it was agreed the dogs were suffering. As a result, the animals were seized by police.
Insp Daniels said: “The dogs were in a horrendous condition that could have been treated simply and easily with the right care and attention.
“It’s shocking anyone could ignore animals when they are in pain and distress.”
Andrews, aged 38, and Rich, aged 39, admitted three charges of failing to care adequately for the animals when they appeared at North Somerset Courthouse on August 17.
Both Andrews and Rich, of the Poplar Estate in Highbridge, were given 12-week jail sentences, suspended for a year, to run concurrently for each charge.
The court also imposed a 10-year disqualification for owning animals, that neither can appeal for eight years, and a curfew which means they must remain in their home between 7pm and 5am for the next 12 weeks.
Each must also pay £300 in court costs and £115 victim surcharge.
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