CONVICTED (2013) | Alistair Paul Fleming, born 9 December 1985, of Redberry Avenue, Heckmondwike WF16 9FD – moved out of a property and left his dog behind to die in appalling conditions

A court in Huddersfield heard how Alistair Fleming moved out of his home and left his pet dog behind to starve to death.

The body of the mastiff, named Sasha, was in such a horrendous state that a post-mortem examination could not be carried out.

Following the sentencing of Fleming, RSPCA inspector Rachel Oprysk described the case as one of worst she had ever witnessed.

Fleming admitted four charges of failing to ensure that the needs of an animal were met.

Tanya Forret, prosecuting on behalf of the charity, told Kirklees magistrates that the offences first came to light on September 5, 2012.

Ms Oprysk visited Fleming’s then home on Chapel Lane in Heckmondwike after getting a call about a dog being left alone in the house and living in its own excrement.

As soon as the inspector entered the back yard she was hit with a “foul smell of decay”, Ms Forret said.

The window to the kitchen was thick with bluebottles buzzing around it.

The inspector then opened the door with the help of the landlord.

Ms Forret said: “As soon as the door was opened there was the most overwhelming smell of decay.

“It was so intense that she had to return to her van and put on a full body suit and mask.

“She was absolutely horrified to find the emaciated body of Sasha, dead behind the door.”

The house was filthy, with rubbish piled on every surface and a stack of unopened post belonging to Fleming.

Ms Forret said: “The dog was far too decomposed for any meaningful post-mortem to be carried out.”

Magistrates were told that the case was particularly distressing for Ms Oprysk.

She had previously visited the dog in May 2012 following a call about her being thin, but found the dog to be normal and left after giving Fleming care advice.

Magistrates heard that two tenants had been living at the house.

These were Ryan Dixon, who was described as too disabled to cope with the dog, and his carer Fleming.

Mr Dixon had moved out in April but continued to pay rent for his former housemate.

Ms Oprysk was unable to contact Fleming until December 2012, who confirmed that the last time he’d seen his pet was in June when he moved out.

The labourer, who was not represented, claimed that when he moved out he had suffered a personal meltdown.

Ms Forret said: “He admitted he should have done more for the dog.

“He said that the conditions in the house were inadequate for humans and animals.”

Magistrates described the case as an appalling example of neglect and banned Fleming from animals for life.

After the case Ms Oprysk said: “This was an absolutely horrendous case. I’ve been an inspector for nine years and this is one of the worst I’ve ever seen.

“Sasha would have suffered an excruciating death and months of suffering – you don’t get to that condition in days.

“But I am pleased to see that the magistrates looked on this as very serious and made a lifetime disqualification.”

Sentencing: 240 hours of unpaid work; £1,749 in court costs. Banned from keeping animals for life.

Examiner Live