These sickening photos show the horrifying conditions where a neglected dog was locked up and left to die by his heartless owner.
The dog, a nine-year-old Rottweiler called Bruno, was found barricaded in a squalid kitchen which was full of faeces inside a seemingly abandoned property.
His owner, Thomas Anthony Bennett, locked Bruno in the kitchen of the Rice Lane property in Wallasey with no food or water in February.
Neighbours allegedly heard a dog 'barking for days' on the street - with one resident fearing the house was empty for 'at least a week'.
Wirral Magistrates Court was told on Tuesday, July 2 that officers from Merseyside Police came across Bruno when they visited Bennett’s address on an unrelated matter in February.
They were concerned that the property may have been abandoned as they could hear a dog inside but it appeared no-one was living at the property.
The police alerted the RSPCA, who went into the property on February 11.
They were met with a scene of squalor - with a dead snake also unearthed inside the house and a bearded dragon found in ill health.
RSPCA Inspector Anthony Joynes, who investigated, said all the animals were found with no food and water.
He said the python was found in a vivarium and had been dead for sometime. The bearded dragon was in such a bad state of health that police officers initially thought he was also dead.
Anthony said: “Bruno was locked in a filthy kitchen which had been barricaded shut with furniture. He had no food or water and was surrounded by faeces.
“There were some empty dog food cans in the kitchen and because he was so hungry he had started chewing them.
“He was clearly underweight but since he has been the care of the RSPCA he has done really well and it is hoped he will be rehomed soon.”
Bennett pleaded guilty to three animal welfare charges and was banned from keeping animals for five years, as well as receiving a 12-month jail term suspended for 12 months and being ordered to pay fines and costs.
He claimed he had not fed the bearded dragon and snake for at least six weeks because he said he was struggling financially.
Anthony said: “From the state of decomposition it was clear the snake had been dead sometime.
“The bearded dragon looked close to death but was given specialist medical care - including having a feeding tube inserted into his stomach - and made a full recovery.
“Sadly, recently he developed a tumour in his mouth and a vet decided the kindest thing to do would be to put him to sleep but I am grateful he enjoyed a few months of life being properly cared for."
He added: "Bennett didn’t even have the right equipment for keeping a bearded dragon - there was no UV light for him and without this they develop bone problems and will be unable to live a healthy life.
“Reptiles and other exotic pets are completely reliant on their owners to meet their welfare needs including requiring the correct levels of heat, light and humidity, plus an appropriate diet.
“People may buy them with little idea of how difficult they can be to keep and the animals are sometimes neglected when the novelty wears off and the commitment hits home.
“This is why the RSPCA would encourage anyone thinking of getting an exotic pet to find out as much as possible about the animal’s needs and whether they’re the right pet for them.”
