By Caroline Ivison

Last updated at 13:24, Thursday, 03 May 2012

A Dearham woman has been banned from keeping animals after she left her dog alone without food or water.

Chris Towler

Samantha Miller, 25, of Lonsdale Terrace, was given an indefinite banning order under the Animal Welfare Act by west Cumbria magistrates.

She had previously been found guilty of failing to meet her Staffordshire bull terrier’s needs by not providing a suitable diet, including fresh drinking water, and keeping it in isolation between October 9 and 12 last year.

The court heard that the RSPCA went to Miller’s house after receiving information that her dog had been left alone.

An officer noted that it had been left in dirty conditions with no food or water. Police helped to remove the dog from the house.

Vets found it was in a lean condition but not suffering.

The court heard that Miller had told police she had asked her friend and cousin to feed the dog but they both disputed this in their police interviews.

The order bans her from owning, having charge of, taking part in the care of or being responsible for any animal except fish.

Magistrates excluded fish from the order as her mother, who she lives with, has pet fish and it was felt that she would be no risk to them.

She was fined £165 and ordered to pay costs of £300 and a £15 surcharge.

Miller will have to wait at least three years before she can appeal against the disqualification order.

The dog has been found a new home.

Chris Towler, Cumbria RSPCA inspector, said that it had cost more than £3,000 to take the case to court.

He said after the sentence: “I hope it serves to send out a strong message to any parties that consider leaving their animals over a period of days that this is an offence, and if reported will be investigated and may lead to similar conviction for those parties.”

First published at 11:30, Thursday, 03 May 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk