Neglected Staffie was '24 hours from death'

A vet described one of the dogs, a red and white Staffordshire bull terrier called Ace, as being so thin and ill that it was 24 hours from death. Almost every bone in its body was clearly visible and protruding.

The animal was rescued from the property in Wolverhampton by RSPCA inspectors on January 11 this year along with another Staffordshire bull terrier named King and a German Shepherd called Sasha, who were also underweight. The German Shepherd was also suffering from an untreated skin problem, causing loss of fur.

Lisa Platt, aged 43, of Prosser Street, Wolverhampton, and 21-year-old Kyle Platt, who has since moved to Newcastle-under-Lyme, both pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to Ace and King. Lisa Platt also admitted an additional charge of failing to ensure that the needs of Sasha were met.

In addition to the ban, the pair were also handed a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay £150 prosecution costs each when they appeared at Birmingham Magistrates Court.

RSPCA inspector Dawn Burrell, who investigated the case, said: "Ace was skin and bones when he was rescued - he was incredibly docile and he was dying in front of us. He was unable to stand and had to be carried into the vet's. He was so underweight that the vet said if he’d been left another 24 hours, he would be dead.

“King and Sasha were also in a bad way. They were living in horrible conditions outside in a back yard, which was completely covered in faeces. Put simply, they were being neglected and had been for a period of at least three months.”

Inspector Burrell said it was 'touch-and-go' for a while whether Ace would survive but after weeks of veterinary treatment, the dog pulled through. King and Sasha also recovered and all three animals have now been rehomed.

Inspector Burrell said: “It is not acceptable to treat animals like this. Pet owners have a legal responsibility to ensure that their pets are being fed, being kept in a suitable environment and are being treated for any medical ailments.

"Ace, King and Sasha were being failed by their owners. Thankfully, all three dogs are now in happy new homes and are thriving.”