Jail for men in 'squalid' dog case

Two brothers-in-law who kept six dogs in "squalid" conditions with no food or water have been jailed for three months.

Gary Brighton, of Reservoir Road, Rowley Regis, and Rioen Shorthouse, of Windmill Lane, Smethwick, were locked up after appearing at Warley Magistrates' Court yesterday.

The court heard how one of the dogs had been left close to death and needed eight days of veterinary treatment.

Brighton, aged 41, and Shorthouse, 22, had already pleaded guilty to 15 charges of causing unnecessary suffering to six crossbreed dogs between May 30 and June 30 last year.

The RSPCA was alerted following an anonymous tip-off, District Judge Michael Wheeler heard before jailing the pair for 12 weeks each.

Nick Sutton, prosecuting, said when inspectors arrived at the house there was "frantic barking" so loud they could hardly hear themselves speak.

He said there were five animals in very poor condition and a sixth had collapsed and could barely move. Mr Sutton said. "These animals were in a very serious state."

He added Brighton was married to the sister of Shorthouse and the men jointly looked after the dogs.

Ranjit Bains, defending Brighton, said: "He accepts he should have taken his responsibilities more seriously."

Shorthouse, who was not represented and celebrated his 22nd birthday yesterday, added: "I do accept the responsibility that I should have done more."

The pair were also banned from looking after an animal for five years and ordered to pay £500 costs.