Man guilty of cruelty to rottweiler

A carpenter who confined his dog to a tiny kennel and failed to properly feed his pet after breaking up with his wife, was banned from keeping animals for 10 years yesterday.

A carpenter who confined his dog to a tiny kennel and failed to properly feed his pet after breaking up with his wife, was banned from keeping animals for 10 years yesterday.

Mario Costa, 25, of Star Lane, Thetford, was also ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work after admitting two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to Sasha the rottweiler.

Thetford Magistrates' Court heard that the 18-month-old dog was discovered in an “emaciated” state and living in “filthy” conditions at a property in Coney Close.

Jason Stevens, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said that when Insp Dave Podmore visited the house on May 6, he found Sasha in “extremely poor” bodily condition and her hips, ribs and backbone were prominent.

The court heard that the rottweiler was found to be living in a small crate littered with faeces and there was no sign of any food or water bowl.

Mr Stevens said the RSCPA considered the neglect to have lasted about two weeks after Mr Costa separated from his partner and had spent less and less time with his dog.

Magistrates heard that the rottweiler had put on 9kgs of weight since its rescue and had since been rehomed.

Costa, who was representing himself in court, said he was “sorry” for neglecting his animal and that he was having relationship “problems” at the time. He added that he had never had problems with keeping dogs in England and in his native Portugal.

The father-of-one, who has since reconciled with his wife, was also ordered to pay £1,800 of the RSPCA's costs.