Court returned dog to cruel owner

Tammy was found "shaking uncontrollably" by police

A Plymouth man has been jailed for 21 days for being cruel to his pet dog - three months after a court gave it back to him.

Robert Walker, from Hawkinge Gardens, Ernesettle, was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to his Staffordshire bull terrier.

Walker had been banned from keeping animals for 10 years in 2004 but appealed and got the dog, Tammy, back.

He said she kept disappearing and when she came back was "a bit of a mess".

'Very sorry sight'

Tammy was discovered after police were called to his flat in March, cowering under a bed.

Prosecutor Neil Mercer said when officers first saw the dog at Mr Walker's flat she was "extremely thin, very nervous and shaking uncontrollably".

RSPCA inspector Rebecca Wadey told Plymouth magistrates she examined Tammy and found that she was underweight, had seven broken ribs, five broken teeth and scabs all over her head.

She said in her 11-year career she had never seen a case like it before and Tammy was a "very sorry sight indeed".

Days after being found, Tammy had to be put down. Vets said it was the only humane option.

Walker denied he was to blame for her injuries. He claimed it was against his nature to hurt her.

Walker, who had denied causing unnecessary suffering, was cleared of a charge of causing cruelty by torture by stubbing out cigarettes on the dog's head.

As well as being jailed for 21 days, Walker was again banned from keeping animals for 10 years.

The RSPCA said it was pleased with outcome; but added it really wanted him banned for keeping animals for life.