South Yorkshire man jailed over starving dogs' 'horrific' deaths

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-33572030

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A man has been jailed for 16 weeks for allowing two dogs to starve to death in a pen in his garden.

One dog had eaten the corpse of the other after they were locked in without food, RSPCA inspectors discovered.

Aaron Wielding, 25, of Staveley Street, Edlington, South Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges, at Doncaster Magistrates' Court.

Wiedling's partner, Selina Ferguson, 21, was given a suspended jail term of 10 weeks.

Ferguson, also of Staveley Street, Edlington, pleaded guilty to failing to provide proper care, failing to provide a suitable environment and causing unnecessary suffering.

She was also given a 20-day rehabilitation order and a 10-week curfew, and ordered to pay £400 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

Wielding was ordered to pay £1,000 in costs and a victim surcharge of £80.

'Truly horrifying'

The pair were banned for life from keeping animals.

RSPCA inspector Sandra Dransfield said the dogs, Rosie and Buster, were discovered in February in freezing conditions.

"Buster, the larger of the two dogs, died first, and in desperation for food Rosie was forced to eat his remains, she said.

"All we found that was left of him was the upper and lower jaw and atlas bones which had gnaw marks on them.

"It was truly horrifying. Rosie later died too."