Dog neglect pair from Brierley Hill get lifetime animal ban (From Dudley News)

Dog neglect pair from Brierley Hill get lifetime animal ban

4:45pm Friday 26th October 2012 in News

A BRIERLEY Hill brother and sister have been banned from keeping animals after neglect led to their dog's death.

Lawrence Griffin and Shirley Anne Griffin, both from Stourbridge Road, were given the lifetime ban by Dudley magistrates after they pleaded guilty to keeping animals in conditions described as squalid.

Their dog Rocky, a cross bred alsatian/collie, was found unable to stand and caked in urine and faeces when the pair were evicted from their previous home in Chestnut Avenue, Dudley.

Prosecutor Gaynor Sutton, for the RSPCA, told the court the vet who examined the dog found he was senile, emaciated, dehydrated and had pressure sores, arthritis and an eight centimetre tumour.

She added: "The dog was suffering from starvation and neglect, it was necessary to euthanise the dog. The vet said it would have taken at least three weeks for a healthy dog to deteriorate to that level of emaciation."

Conditions in the house, where the pair also kept other animals including small mammals, birds and snakes, were described as filthy.

The court was told a police officer who attended the eviction described the odour at the premises as the worst he had ever smelt.

Tim Gascoyne, for the Griffins, told the court: "This isn't a case of cruelty but neglect, they have their own way of living and don't cause any problems from society, apart from this case."

The court was also told the other animals at the property all appeared in better health, although their cages were dirty.

The animals were removed by the RSPCA when the pair were thrown out of their Dudley house.

Since the eviction Lawrence Griffin, aged 57, and his 55-year-old sister had acquired two more pythons and two corn snakes and magistrates ordered they should be handed over immediately.

The pair, who both pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering and failing in a duty of care to Rocky, were given 12 month jail terms suspended for 12 months.

They were each ordered to carry out 150 hours unpaid work in the community and pay £770 costs.

Magistrate Margaret Walker told them: "You caused prolonged and severe neglect and suffering to Rocky."