A County Durham couple have been banned from keeping animals for a decade and told to pay almost £1,000 after being convicted of neglecting a staggering six.
Charity the RSPCA brought the prosecution against Neil and Elaine Hamilton, of Front Street, Pity Me. The couple, 57 and 41 respectively, admitted five offences under the Animal Welfare Act in relation to the care of Ozzy, Oscar, Megan, Beau, Lexi and Bella in January, and were sentenced at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court on February 22.
RSPCA inspector Lucy Green found all the dogs in a neglected state in October last year. According to her witness statement, she found three of the dogs - Beau, Bella and Megan - in a "suffering state", with the other three likely to "be caused to suffer if their circumstances did not change".
