Owner who left dogs in squalor spared jail

Jeannette Smith had been warned she was facing six weeks in prison after admitting nine charges of causing unnecessary suffering to animals and one count of failing in her duty of care to them.

At Wolverhampton Magistrates Court yesterday, the 48-year-old was given a four-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and was handed a lifetime ban on keeping animals.

The RSPCA today welcomed the sentence and said it sent out a "strong message" to those who neglect their pets.

The plight of the four dogs – mother Zena and her three puppies Roly, Princess and Ellie – came to light after officers from the animal charity visited Smith's home in Kempthorne Road, Bilston, in April following a tip-off from a concerned member of the public.

They found the pets riddled with health problems and in an emaciated state perched on a makeshift shelter in the back garden.

All were suffering from a painful skin condition, while Roly was also suffering from an ear infection that had not been treated. It was revealed to the court yesterday that two other dogs, belonging to Smith's children, were at the address but were in a perfectly healthy condition.

Mrs Gaynor Sutton, prosecuting, said: "The yard was strewn with faeces and smelt very strongly of urine. Some of the dogs were sitting on their shelter in order to see over the fence in front of them."

The court heard how Smith, who received a 10-year ban on keeping animals in 1990 for a previous cruelty case, details of which were not given, had been visited by the RSPCA in 2008. Then officers made an order for her to boost Zena's weight and gave advice on caring for the dog.

A follow-up visit revealed Zena had gained weight and RSPCA inspector Jayne Bashford left her contact details, telling Smith to call any time if any further problems arose.

But the next visit to the home revealed the four dogs being kept in shocking conditions without adequate shelter or food.

Sarbjit Lalli, defending, said yesterday Smith had been hard hit by the death of a close friend from cancer.

But magistrates chairwoman Sue Holland told her: "You had already been given advice in relation to the care of these dogs within the year of this offence." She ordered Smith to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and made her subject to a 12-month supervision order.