Pair banned from keeping animals after dog kept starving in a cage filled with her urine

Two people who kept a starving pet dog sitting in her own urine in a cage have been banned from keeping animals for life.

Trevor Lewis, 27, and Mandy Smith, 29, kept Roxy the Rottweiler in an emaciated state at their home in Romford, east London.

The pair, of Grange Road, both admitted charges under the Animal Welfare Act after starving the dog as they ate their own dinner next to her soiled cage.

They pleaded guilty at Barkingside Magistrates' Court on Tuesday and have since been banned form keeping animals, given a 12 month supervision order and a 12 month conditional discharge, and made to pay £250 costs.

RSPCA inspector Emily Collins said: "This case really hit me hard - I felt so sorry for poor Roxy.

"I found her in the corner of the living room in a cage - and it was clear she was kept there nearly all the time - shut away and forgotten about without any proper care

"The lovely little Rottweiler was just sitting there in her own urine in an emaciated state. She had no food or water.

"What got me the most is she was being kept right next to the family as they ate their dinner, but it was as if they just didn't see or notice her.

"She's a lovely little Rottweiler, despite what she has been through and I am really pleased to say she has now been nursed back to health and rehomed."