Ban and prison for woman who abandoned dogs

The owner of dogs who were left without food in a dirty, empty flat has been jailed for 24 weeks and banned from keeping animals for 10 years.

Dawn Tolliver, 51, of Hartcliffe, Bristol, pleaded guilty to animal welfare offences following an RSPCA investigation and prosecution.

The two Cane Corso dogs were found inside a property after concerns were raised about their welfare.

RSPCA Inspector Kim Walters said: "These poor dogs were left unattended for such a time at this property without food that their health had been compromised."

"Thankfully they were rescued and have since gained weight and recovered," she added.

The emaciated Cane Corso dogs, called Angel and Evil, were less than half the weight they should have been at the time they were rescued, the RSPCA said.

Ms Walters said when she first arrived at the address, there was no reply at the front door and dogs were heard barking from inside.

"I was able to observe through the letterbox that there were two black Cane Corso dogs inside that looked to be in very poor bodily condition with their spine, hip bones and ribs being very prominent," she said.

"There was a strong smell coming from the letterbox and the house appeared very dirty."

Neighbours then told the inspector that they had not seen anyone living at the property "for months" but would occasionally see someone popping in.

The vet who examined Angel and Evil found them both to be in poor body condition, underweight, malnourished and dirty with overly long claws and flea dirt.

The dogs were signed over into the care of the RSPCA and have since been found new homes.

Tolliver, 51, was arrested and appeared before Bristol Magistrates' Court on 31 December.

Alongside the jail sentence and ban, Tolliver was ordered to pay £239 in fines and costs.

She has appealed against the sentence.

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