A MAN who starved his two dogs has been banned from keeping animals for ten years.
Single parent Craig Wake said he left Staffordshire bull terriers Bella and Buster without food or water because he could not afford to feed them.
Both dogs were underweight and extremely thirsty when inspectors from the charity visited Wake's home in Glasgow Street, west Hull.
Buster had to be put to sleep after a vet said he was too aggressive to be rehomed.
Magistrate Pauline Bielby said Wake, 26, was lucky to avoid being jailed.
She said: "This is a terrible case. Those dogs were kept in agony.
"Even if you couldn't afford to feed these dogs you could at least have ensured a regular supply of water was available.
"After all, water is practically free in the quantities required. Only the fact you are a single parent with young children saved you from prison."
He has been banned from keeping dogs for ten years and was ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work.
The dogs were discovered when inspectors visited his home in October last year. Both dogs were being kept in a metal puppy crate in the kitchen.
RSPCA inspector Hannah Bryer said: "It was heartbreaking to see these dogs so desperate for a drink of water, something which could have been rectified with very little effort or cost to their owner.
"Both dogs were both in poor body condition. The spines, ribs and hip bones were visible. When Craig Wake let the dogs out of the cage and they immediately began scavenging for food in the bin.
"Both dogs smelt foul and their coat had areas of hair thinning and scarred skin."
Both dogs were taken to Swanbridge Veterinary Practice where they were found to be underweight and incredibly thirsty.
Buster was put to sleep and Bella was taken to the RSPCA's branch in Clough Road. She has since been rehomed.
Wake admitted failing to meet the animals' needs by not providing them with a suitable living environment or diet and not preventing them from suffering when he appeared at Hull Magistrates' Court.
He was ordered to pay costs of £250 and a £60 victims' surcharge.
