Case Report

Sudbury magistrates heard how the two dogs were neglected to such an extent, that one was left flea-ridden, emaciated and suffering with anaemia. Both dogs needed veterinary treatment to bring them back to full health.

Robin Cox, 56, of Uplands Road, Sudbury, appeared in court for sentencing on Monday after previously pleading guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to both dogs.

Prosecutor William Jackson told the court the offences carried out by Cox had no malicious intent, but were a case of significant neglect.

He added how RSPCA Inspector Jason Finch first saw the two black poodles at Cox's home in May 2001. He was concerned because the dogs, named Star and Sky, had severely matted coats and the room they were kept in was in disarray.

Insp Finch helped Cox get funding from the RSPCA and the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals for medication to improve the dogs' condition.

Mr Finch made another visit to Cox's home in May 2002 and again became extremely concerned for the welfare of the poodles.

He found they had escaped into a neighbours garden, and had became very thin and had poor coats.

Insp Finch was particularly concerned for Sky's health and took him to see a vet. A large amount of fleas and flea droppings were discovered in the poodle's coat, and the vet said she was emaciated and suffering from anaemia.

The dogs were eventually taken away from Cox and have since been re-homed and have made a full recovery.

During the hearing Cox said: "The dogs were well fed and I gave them exactly the same. I did everything I was asked.

"I got their coats clipped and took them for walks every day. I loved those dogs and whatever I did wrong I didn't do intentionally."

Cox was also given 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay �100 court costs.

After the case Insp Finch said: "This was not intentional cruelty, it was a classic case of somebody not being able to cope with the responsibility of looking after a dog.

"Caring for a dog demands a huge commitment on your time and finances and it is huge responsibility. The size of the commitment is not always taken into consideration when people take on a dog, and often people can't cope with it," Insp Finch added.

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