These pictures taken by the RSPCA show the disgusting conditions a man kept his dog in.
Steven Johnson, from Kirkby, had denied neglecting bulldog Diego after the dog was seized by police at the rubbish and faeces-strewn flat in Westhead Avenue on June 27 last year. Liverpool Magistrates' Court heard how RSPCA inspector Lisa Lupson had visited the property after being sent photos of the flat which was filthy and littered with rubbish and used food cans.
The officer told Johnson his dog would not be able to return to living in such an unhygienic environment as he was committing animal welfare offences. He was given the opportunity to rectify the situation. He told her he hadn’t been living at the flat and had already started to clean it up.
READ MORE: Horrifying footage shows man hit by car and attacked by gang
But weeks later, inspector Lupson returned to the property to see if the condition had improved. She told the court how the flat was "caked in dirt" and "was in no state for a human or animal to live in".
She said: “Straight away I could see a large amount of flies and noted rubbish at the bottom and all the way up the stairs to the flat. At the top of the stairs I was greeted by more flies and a large pile of filled rubbish bags.
“The floor was caked in dirt and there was nowhere clean to stand. Rubbish and household items also littered the floor. I was hesitant at this point to go further as I already knew the property was in no fit state for a human or an animal to live in.
“When I saw the bathroom I had to try hard not to gag, it was in a disgusting condition. The sink was blocked with dirty water to the top and what appeared to be faeces caked to the toilet. The kitchen was filthy, again containing filled rubbish bags and the floor covered in dirt.
“The bedroom was also in a similar condition with the floor caked in dirt and rubbish strewn on the bed and floor."
Johnson had denied neglecting the 18-month-old dog but was found guilty for a number of animal welfare offences in his absence at a trial in February. Following a hearing at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court, Johnson was disqualified from keeping all animals for ten years and was given a 12-week prison sentence.
This will run concurrently to a custodial sentence he is already serving for unrelated matters. A deprivation order was also imposed allowing the RSPCA to legally rehome Diego after Johnson had repeatedly refused to sign him over.
Take a look at the gallery below inside Johnson's home:
In interview, Johnson agreed that the living conditions for Diego were unsuitable and he was sorry for not meeting his dog’s needs. Diego is being looked after at a private boarding establishment on behalf of the RSPCA and is doing well.
Speaking after the sentencing hearing at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on April 11, inspector Lupson said: “Conditions at the flat were unsanitary and hazardous and totally unsuitable for humans and animals to be living in. Diego is now enjoying life which is lovely to see. His welfare is much improved and we will be looking to rehome him.”
READ NEXT:
Horrifying footage shows man hit by car and attacked by gang
Paedophile who sexually abused six children dies less than a year into sentence
Scouser who played for Everton and Liverpool delivered Wrexham's Hollywood ending
Row erupts as Labour denies councillor is behind troll account after deleted tweet
Ten minutes that changed Paul Russell's life after Thomas Cashman murdered Olivia
