By Staff Reporter

Last updated at 10:14, Saturday, 30 May 2009

A pet owner from Carlisle has been placed on curfew after he let his ferret starve to death.

Ian David Turner, of Hebden Avenue, Morton, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal at Carlisle magistrates court.

The court heard how RSPCA inspectors visited the 25-year-old’s previous address at Marina Crescent last September and found the dead ferret in a wooden hut at the back of the garden with no food or water. The floor was covered in wood shavings and soiled.

David Sharp, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, told the court that a post mortem showed that the ferret had died from starvation.

He said that the animal had suffered and its body was emaciated, its spine was visible, and it had not had any food for at least 48 hours – possibly longer.

He added that the ferret had a severe flea infestation.

Turner told the court that he was sorry for the offence and agreed that it was his responsibility to look after the animal.

He said that he had only had it for a couple of days and had fed it half a tin of dog food the day before the inspector found it.

Mr Sharp said that the RSPCA wanted to apply for an animal banning order but, because Turner had an elderly dog which was well looked after, it would be cruel to part the dog from its owner.

Turner was put on a curfew between 9pm and 6am seven days a week for four months. He was also banned from owning or looking after any animal for one year, with the exception of dogs.

He was also ordered to pay £250 court costs. The Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals had applied for costs totalling £969.69, but this was reduced because of Turner’s financial circumstance.

RSPCA Inspector Chris Towler said after the case: “Mr Turner took on the ferret with the best of intentions, but it is still the owner’s responsibility to look after the welfare of any animal in their charge.”

First published at 08:58, Saturday, 30 May 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk