PICTURES ADDED: Nicole Dheroo, 23, banned for life from ever owning another pet, after emaciated pet dog found 'days from death'

UNITED KINGDOM -- A WOMAN whose emaciated pedigree dog was found days from death has been given a suspended jail sentence and handed a lifetime ban from owning animals.

Nicole Dheroo, 23, was sentenced at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates' Court yesterday, after previously pleading guilty to three charges of animal cruelty against her Shih Tzu dog - two of failing to seek appropriate veterinary care, and one of not ensuring the welfare of the animal.

 

The RSPCA said the pet was "days away from death" when it was seized from Dheroo's home in Bradford with the animal said to be almost half its normal body weight.

The dog's plight was only discovered after a fire at the house, when concerned firefighters saw the animal and alerted the RSPCA.

Nigel Monaghan, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said: "The animal was in such an appalling condition, it was unrecognizable as a dog.

"It's eyes weren't visible, and it had collapsed as it was too weak to stand. It was dehydrated, had conjunctivitis, and had feces encrusted in its fur.

"It displayed an abnormal behavior towards food, suggesting deprivation for a period of time. It had to break down its own tissue to survive, and was at least 45 per cent underweight. Everyone involved in the case was shocked by its condition. It was days away from death."

Mr Monaghan said the only treatment the dog had received by vets was normal provision of food and water, but added that the animal had made a full recovery since being signed over to the RSPCA.

"This is a very, very serious case, and I would ask you to consider a lengthy disqualification, not just as punishment, but to ensure animal welfare in the future," he said.

Bilal Khan, mitigating, said single mother Dheroo, whose address cannot be reported for legal reasons, had bought the dog in March 2013 and had initially cared for it "as part of the family."

He said she then suffered personal problems, including depression, which left her feeling "isolated, timid, and unconfident."

"She co-operated with the RSPCA, and has lost her good character as a result of this conviction," he said. "She fully accepts she perhaps should have given the dog away."

Sentencing Dheroo to 24 weeks in jail suspended for a year and imposing a lifetime ban from owning animals, chairman of the bench, John Bruce, told her: "The reason for this ban is the prolonged neglect, and the cruelty and thoughtlessness of the offences.

"And as far as we are concerned today, life means life."

Dheroo was also given a 30-day medium level activity requirement, with 60 hours unpaid work, and ordered to pay £250 costs and an £80 surcharge.

(Telegraph & Argus - May 5, 2015)