An Ipswich man has been banned from keeping animals after his two dogs were found emaciated and chronically undernourished.
David Woods, of Burns Road, admitted causing unnecessary suffering by failing to address the condition of his dogs between December 14 and January 14.
The 40-year-old allegedly threw one of the Staffordshire bull terriers against a wall when police visited his old Bonnington Road address on January 14 in connection with an assault.
Officers called the RSPCA with concerns for three dogs inside the property shared by Woods and his former partner, Christina Wright.
Wright, 36, last week admitted causing the suffering of a third Staffordshire bull terrier, which she owned, but for which the pair shared responsibility.
Prosecutor Hugh Rowland told Suffolk Magistrates’ Court one of Woods’ dogs, Scooby, was found locked in a dark, dirty, cramped and cold conservatory.
“There was an evident lack of suitable diet,” added Mr Rowland, who explained the other dog was also severely underweight, with poor teeth, dry and scaly ears, overgrown nails, a coat containing flea dirt, a lump on the chest, three mammary masses and a hernia on the left side.
“In the vet’s opinion, they were subject to malnutrition and emaciation, had poor skin and coat, and were chronically undernourished,” he said.
Woods, who communicates through sign language, claimed the dogs were fed twice daily, but that both had suffered recent bouts of vomiting and diarrhoea.
He said the lump on one of the dogs “grew quickly” and that the hernia was the result of breeding.
Mark Holt, mitigating, said Woods denied throwing a dog against a wall and claimed to have sought veterinary help.
“His lack of speech and hearing made it difficult,” said Mr Holt.
“Lack of finance meant he could not secure private veterinary care, or through charity, he says.
“He accepts he took his eye off the ball but maintains the dogs were ill in preceding days and weeks. There is no suggestion of deliberate harm.”
Mr Holt argued Woods’ sentence should be akin to that of his codefendant’s conditional discharge, disqualification from keeping dogs and £100 contribution towards costs.
Magistrates fined Woods £345, disqualified him from keeping animals and ordered him to pay £500 towards costs.
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