An Oswestry woman has been taken to court after letting her dog starve to death.
Kirsty Ann Edwards, 36, of College Road, Oswestry, pleaded guilty to a charge under the Animal Welfare Act of "unnecessary suffering to a protected animal" after a case was brought by the RSPCA.
Edwards was sentenced in a hearing on June 15 at Telford Magistrates Court.
It was heard that Edwards had left a Bull Terrier Cross Breed dog called Bear in a property without food.
In mitigation, the court heard that Edwards was very remorseful and ashamed – she had hit rock bottom and had mental health concerns, so had gone to live with her mother.
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Following the sentencing, RSPCA Inspector Claire Davey said: "Poor Bear had been abandoned and left to starve, and would have been alone and scared during his last days and weeks.
"The thought of any animal suffering like this is completely heart-breaking, and there is simply no need for it to get to this stage.
"If owners are struggling with caring for a pet, we would urge them to seek advice and help from the RSPCA or other animal welfare charities, who are there to help prevent animals suffering unnecessarily."
Edwards was sentenced to a nine-month prison term, suspended for 18 months, along with 15 RAR days and 200 hours unpaid work.
She was also banned from keeping all animals for 15 years and has to pay court costs of £537 (£350 costs and £187 VS, to be paid £10 fortnightly from benefits/collection order).
For more advice and information on pet welfare, please visit the RSPCA website: https://www.rspca.org.uk/
