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Dog cruelty man's arrest warrant Dog cruelty man's arrest warrant
(about 11 hours later)
An arrest warrant has been issued after a man convicted on cruelty charges over his severely underweight dog did not attend court for sentencing.An arrest warrant has been issued after a man convicted on cruelty charges over his severely underweight dog did not attend court for sentencing.
Anthony Hayes, 44, and his partner Dawn James, 28, both of Cardiff, were found guilty in their absence last month.Anthony Hayes, 44, and his partner Dawn James, 28, both of Cardiff, were found guilty in their absence last month.
Cardiff magistrates' court heard how Simba, a brindle mastiff cross, was found with its jaw locked to a wire fence and had to be destroyed.Cardiff magistrates' court heard how Simba, a brindle mastiff cross, was found with its jaw locked to a wire fence and had to be destroyed.
James only escaped a custodial sentence because she has two children.James only escaped a custodial sentence because she has two children.
Chairman of the magistrates Sarah Kett said: "This is an horrendous offence that caused the suffering of an animal and resulted in its death. The only way of removing the dog from the fence was by cutting the fence itself Aled Watkins, prosecutingChairman of the magistrates Sarah Kett said: "This is an horrendous offence that caused the suffering of an animal and resulted in its death. The only way of removing the dog from the fence was by cutting the fence itself Aled Watkins, prosecuting
She said the fact that James had two young children at home was the "sole reason" she was not being jailed.She said the fact that James had two young children at home was the "sole reason" she was not being jailed.
Aled Watkins, prosecuting, said when the RSPCA called at the couple's home in the Ely area of Cardiff on 11 February at a neighbour's request, Hayes was watching television.Aled Watkins, prosecuting, said when the RSPCA called at the couple's home in the Ely area of Cardiff on 11 February at a neighbour's request, Hayes was watching television.
Hayes took Inspector Nicola Johnson into the back yard, which was covered in rubbish and faces, and he saw Simba attached to the fence and convulsing. Hayes took Inspector Nicola Johnson into the back yard, which was covered in rubbish and faeces, and he saw Simba attached to the fence and convulsing.
Mr Watkins said: "The only way of removing the dog from the fence was by cutting the fence itself.Mr Watkins said: "The only way of removing the dog from the fence was by cutting the fence itself.
"It appears the dog had a fit and gripped hold of of the fence with its jaws.""It appears the dog had a fit and gripped hold of of the fence with its jaws."
Epileptic fitsEpileptic fits
Simba was taken to a vet, who found the dog weighed just 29kg (64lb) when he should have been around 45kg (99lb).Simba was taken to a vet, who found the dog weighed just 29kg (64lb) when he should have been around 45kg (99lb).
Mr Watkins said the animal had no body fat, severe muscle wastage and was severely dehydrated.Mr Watkins said the animal had no body fat, severe muscle wastage and was severely dehydrated.
The prosecutor said the dog continued suffering epileptic fits and was put down to prevent further suffering.The prosecutor said the dog continued suffering epileptic fits and was put down to prevent further suffering.
Defending James, Gemma Morgan said she agreed to look after the dog while Hayes was working away on the understanding his brother would come round to feed and water the dog.Defending James, Gemma Morgan said she agreed to look after the dog while Hayes was working away on the understanding his brother would come round to feed and water the dog.
Mrs Morgan said: "She had, on occasions, tried to tend to it herself but it was particularly aggressive towards her and she gave up."Mrs Morgan said: "She had, on occasions, tried to tend to it herself but it was particularly aggressive towards her and she gave up."
She said James had noticed the dog's faeces and vomit were purple, but not the fact it was underweight.She said James had noticed the dog's faeces and vomit were purple, but not the fact it was underweight.
James raised her concerns with Hayes but did not contact any of the relevant authorities out of fear of repercussions from her partner.James raised her concerns with Hayes but did not contact any of the relevant authorities out of fear of repercussions from her partner.
James was given an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for a year, on each count of causing unnecessary suffering to Simba, relating to his poor diet and lack of water.James was given an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for a year, on each count of causing unnecessary suffering to Simba, relating to his poor diet and lack of water.
She was also ordered to pay £200 costs, attend an enhanced thinking programme and complete 18 hours unpaid work.She was also ordered to pay £200 costs, attend an enhanced thinking programme and complete 18 hours unpaid work.
She was banned from keeping animals for 10 years.She was banned from keeping animals for 10 years.