CONVICTED (2012) | Shane S Spearpoint, born 25 August 1988, of Lower Rainham Road, Rainham, Gillingham ME8 7TN – left a Staffy to starve to death over several weeks while feeding another dog.

Builder Shane Spearpoint was prosecuted by the RSPCA in relation to two-year-old Alfie, who was found collapsed at his home.

RSPCA inspector Ray Bailey said: “I have been an inspector for 17 years and I have never seen anything as bad as this. This poor dog was collapsed, barely conscious and completely emaciated – just lying in the corner of the room.”

Inspector Bailey scooped up the skeletal dog and took him straight to a vet. The vet told the inspector that Alfie would have no chance of survival and he was put to sleep to end his suffering.

Inspector Bailey said: “Even experienced veterinary staff were moved to tears when they saw Alfie.”

Alfie weighed just eight kilos – a male Staffordshire bull terrier should weigh around 18 kilos.

A post mortem revealed that Alfie had a lamb bone stuck in his throat, probably as a result of scavenging for food.

In interview Spearpoint, who at the time was living in Corporation Road, Gillingham, said that he had not fed Alfie for weeks as he felt that the dog belonged to his ex girlfriend who had moved out. He had been feeding his other dog though, while leaving Alfie to slowly starve.

Sentencing | jailed for 12 weeks; £1,455 in costs. Banned for life from keeping animals.

Source: Gotta Love Dogs (blog)