A COUPLE have been given suspended prison sentences after leaving their dog so emaciated he had to be put down.
Boxer Sid was 13kg underweight when he was put to sleep by the PDSA.
His owners Stuart Ireland, 31, and Hayley Miah, 32, did not take him to the charity – which provides free veterinary treatment for pets whose owners are on benefits – for five weeks after he became ill.
Tests later revealed he had a tumour in his oesophagus. The dog also had a ruptured eye, which would have been "extremely painful".
RSPCA Inspector Hannah Bryer described photographs of the dog after he had been put down as shocking.
She said: "This dog was left to suffer during its final weeks.
"As pet owners, it is our duty to ensure that our pet's welfare is not compromised.
"In this case, it was obvious that the dog should have been taken to a vet at a much earlier stage to ease his suffering."
Two of the couple's three young children have written letters begging magistrates not to ban them from keeping animals, which would mean their other boxer dog Charlie would have to be rehomed.
But presiding magistrate John Nicholson said he had no choice but to ban both defendants from keeping any animals for ten years.
Prosecutor Philip Brown said Sid was taken to the PDSA in Hull on November 30 last year.
He said: "Sid was in such a poor condition that there was no option but to euthanise the animal for his own welfare.
"He was severely emaciated with all the bones in his hips, ribs and spine clearly visible."
Staff at the PDSA were so concerned about Sid's condition, they called the RSPCA and asked them to investigate.
Mr Brown said: "It is only in the most exceptional of circumstances that the PDSA will effectively breach their duty of confidentiality to authorise the release of information to the RSPCA.
"Despite this being a very busy area, it is only the second time this has happened in six years."
Sid also had evidence of fleas in his coat, which was stained with urine and excrement. He had been vomiting and losing weight for five weeks before he was taken to the PDSA.
When Miss Bryer visited the family, she found Charlie also had an eye infection and issued a notice requiring it to be treated. He was only taken to the PDSA after the notice was issued.
Ireland and Miah told investigators they did not take Sid to the PDSA because they were unable to prove they were in receipt of benefits because Ireland's had been stopped.
Miah, of Ferriby Grove, north Hull, wept as details of the case were read out at Hull Magistrates' Court.
Both Miah and Ireland, of Albert Avenue, west Hull, admitted two charges of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
Their solicitor Max Gold said when Ireland's Jobseekers Allowance was stopped – because he had not attended a required appointment – "everybody suffered".
He said Miah is currently expecting her fourth child and the couple were living separately after problems in the relationship.
Mr Gold said: "It is a terrible tragedy for my clients, the dog and the children, for everybody concerned.
"This was a family pet for eight years."
Both Ireland and Miah were given eight-week prison sentences, suspended for a year, and must undergo supervision and pay £175 costs and an £80 victims surcharge.
Ireland must also complete 80 hours of unpaid work. Miah was not ordered to do unpaid work because of her pregnancy.
