Robert Daniel Murphy admitted causing unnecessary suffering to his white American bulldog “Belle” when he appeared before Wirral magistrates on Tuesday.
The court heard how the 27-year-old, of Dingle Road, had failed to feed the dog correctly for at least two months between June 29 and August 29, 2014.
He said: “The vet was so concerned about the condition of the dog that he immediately called the RSPCA.
“The dog was emaciated, weighing just 11.6kg, was dehydrated and was too weak to bare any weight. The vet was sure that the animal would have died within the next 24 to 48 hours if left alone.”
Magistrates heard how Murphy had admitted ownership of the dog when interviewed by the RSPCA and said he had been working 10 hours a day.
“He said he had the dog for two years from a puppy and had got himself into a state. He was also seeing his daughter in the evenings,” added Chris Murphy.
“He was unable to afford proper food things and car for the animal and said he started feeding him biscuits but it had choked.”
The court heard that Murphy had “noticed the change” in the dog but said it had “always been skinny”.
He said the “stress of work” and the breakdown of his relationship had caught up with him.
Chris Murphy said: “He didn’t pay enough attention to the dog and accepted he should have done more or had the dog rehomed.”
Representing himself, Murphy said he was currently “off sick” and was a recovering alcoholic.
He told the court: “I had a lot on my plate at the time. I was doing volunteer work, trying to get myself back on the straight and narrow.”
Since being taken into the RSPCA’s care, Belle has recovered well and now weighs 23.5kg, something the prosecution said was down to a “proper diet”.
The case was adjourned for “all options” reports to be prepared ahead of sentencing on January 23.
Murphy remains on unconditional bail until that date.
(Wirral Globe-Dec 23, 2014)
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