A MAN has been banned from keeping animals after his elderly pet dog was found so dehydrated vets believed it was 36 hours away from death.
Dillon, a 14-year-old crossbreed, was discovered emaciated and dehydrated in a shed at Dockfield Road allotments, in Baildon, on Christmas Eve.
The dog, who has since made a full recovery and been rehomed, had no food or water.
Owner Brian William Smith, 56, has now been banned from keeping animals for five years. He was given a two month curfew order and told to pay £250 in court costs by Bradford and Keighley Magistrates' Court on Tuesday after he admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and two counts of failing to meet the needs of an animal for which he was responsible.
The RSPCA is to remove other animals belonging to Smith, of West Royd Avenue, Shipley, from the allotment.
When Dillon was found vets believed he had been without water for at least 36 hours.
RSPCA inspector Nikki Cheetham said after the case: "After hearing the conclusions of the vet I am truly relieved that we got to Dillon in time. Another couple of days and the outcome could have been very different."
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