Couple 'let dog starve to death'

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An estranged couple have been given suspended jail sentences after one of their Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs died and another two almost starved to death.

Wrexham magistrates heard how Kim Parry, 36, and Andrew Parry, 38, kept the dogs at their house in Cefn y Bedd.

However, in February the couple split up and Mr Parry left the family home and the dogs were left without food.

The Parrys were convicted of causing unnecessary suffering in what the court heard was a "terrible case of neglect".

Both admitted joint responsibility for the dogs and the court heard Mr Parry regularly visited to see his children.

Animals depend on people and they couldn't depend on you two Magistrates' chair Keith Thomas

The court heard Kim Parry - who had a history of depression - became severely depressed after her husband left home, and on some days would not even get out of bed.

As a result, three of the dogs, which had won prizes in local shows, went uncared for.

In March this year, RSPCA inspector Chris Dunbar visited the property and found one dog dead, and another two in an "emaciated" condition.

The dead dog, a male called Bailey, weighed just over 21kg.

One of the Parrys' dogs died

The court heard the average weight for a Rhodesian Ridgeback is between 30-39kg. The other two dogs weighed 16.8kg and 20.6kg.

It was estimated all three dogs had been fed nothing for four weeks, or had been fed very little for a longer period.

Magistrates' chairman Keith Thomas said: "We hold you equally responsible in this case and as a consequence the sentence will be the same for both of you.

"We do accept this is a case of neglect rather than deliberate cruelty but we believe this is a case of long term neglect.

"It's not a matter of days, it's certainly a matter of months.

'Heartbreaking'

"Both of you have knowledge of how these dogs should be kept, you cannot plead ignorance."

He added: "We find this a terrible case of neglect. Animals depend on people and they couldn't depend on you two."

Both were sentenced to two months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.

They were also ordered to pay £800 each in costs and were banned from keeping any animals for five years.

RSPCA inspector Chris Dunbar said: "This was a very serious case where three dogs were neglected and very badly let down by their owners.

"It's heartbreaking that one of the dogs died. This case must serve as a warning to anyone that if they are struggling with a pet they must ask for help.

"It's no excuse for any pet owner to sit back and do nothing, leaving their animal to suffer and starve."