Dog-owner caused animal suffering

Joyce Jones admitted causing unnecessary suffering

Burglars may have tipped off RSPCA inspectors after they found a neglected dog in a woman's house.

Joyce Jones, 52, of Upper Lees Drive, Westhoughton, Bolton, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

She was banned by the town's magistrates from keeping animals for life, given 100 hours' community service and ordered to pay costs of £250.

Digby, a 14-year-old bearded collie, was found trapped in a kitchen, with his matted fur covered in faeces and urine.

It took two hours to cut the dog's hair

The dog was unable to walk as its toenails had overgrown by nine centimetres, the court heard.

The animal was found on 22 January this year after a tip-off to the RSPCA.

Jones's house had been burgled two weeks before and it was suggested in court that thieves were the source of the anonymous tip-off.

The dog was taken into care, where it took two people two hours to clip its filthy fur.

RSPCA Inspector Liz Walker said: "I initially thought the dog was a sheepskin rug rolled up.

"I soon realised it was an animal of some kind.

"From my point of view, it was one of the most horrific and shocking cases I have ever seen."

Throughout the hearing, Jones clenched her hands together and fought back the tears.