Couple jailed after pet dog died of starvation

A couple who went on a break for over a week to Welshpool while their pet dog starved to death at home have both been jailed for 12 weeks and banned for life from keeping a dog.

Matthew Murray and mother-of-two Samantha Peters left the bull terrier-type pet while they spent more than a week in Mid Wales.

A police officer called at the couple's home in Darlaston, Walsall, while they were on holiday and discovered the dead animal which had been left without food and water.

The RSPCA believe the animal may have suffered for weeks. Both Murray, 29, and Peters, 24, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal between June 1 and 10, 2011.

Mr Nick Sutton, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, told Walsall Magistrates' Court the dog had not been fed for a long time. Police telephoned Murray and described him as abusive.

Mrs Penny Chapman, defending, said when Peters had taken her out for a walk she had attacked a neighbour's dog. She added they were now both 'extremely ashamed'.

Peters, aged 24, and Murray, aged 29, now of Hall Street East, Darlaston, were jailed for 12 weeks by magistrates yesterday and banned from keeping animals for life.