Couple let their pet dog starve

A husband and wife from the Black Country have been banned from keeping animals for 10 years after starving their pet dog, Daisy.

Simon and Julie Khalique let Daisy become so thin her bones were visible, she was dehydrated and "completely emaciated".

The couple, of Jarvis Crescent, Oldbury, were each given a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

They were also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work by magistrates in West Bromwich yesterday.

Simon, aged 27, and Julie, 25, had previously admitted three counts of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal between January 13 and February 13.

Mrs Gaynor Sutton, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said the charity was alerted to the Jack Russell terrier type dog by an anonymous phone call. She said an RSPCA inspector advised the couple to take Daisy to the vet, but she was never taken.

Mrs Sutton said another visit was made in January and the inspector could feel the dog's bones.

The court heard that Daisy was taken to a vet, who found she had been suffering for at least a month.

Mrs Sutton said Daisy was "completely emaciated" and suffering from dehydration.

The court heard the dog had recovered and was awaiting a new home.

David Nash, defending, said a custodial sentence would be devastating for the couple's young children.

Presiding magistrate Derek Percival, said: "These matters are so serious that only custody is appropriate."

Mr Khalique was given an additional 12 months supervision order and the couple were each ordered to pay costs of £250.