Julie Mullock and John Jenkins at Oswestry Magistrates Court

Dogs were left without food or water, emaciated or kept in a small cage full of faeces, magistrates have heard.

John Jenkins, 55, and Julie Mullock, 46, both of the caravans in the vicinity of the bridleway between Bronygarth and Starlings Castle, Oswestry, failed to feed their dogs properly or to provide them with veterinary care, Oswestry Magistrates Court heard yesterday.

They both admitted seven charges relating to nine dogs, including two puppies, between April 9, 2008 and May 1, 2008.

Four of the charges related to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and three charges were failing to ensure the welfare of an animal.

Jenkins also admitted breaching a conditional discharge, given on August 27, 2007 for two offences of causing unnecessary suffering to a horse.

The case was adjourned until March 25 for pre-sentence reports.

Mr Glen Murphy, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said that on April 30 last year police officers attended the caravans investigating an unrelated matter and they seized a dog due to its condition.

Tethered

RSPCA Inspector Chris Dunbar said the dog was very thin, with an open sore. It was in an emaciated state and obviously suffering, he said.

Mr Murphy said police and Mr Dunbar returned on May 1 and found dogs with some food but no water.

Tethered to a kennel was a German shepherd dog, which was thin and had no food or water.

And two Jack Russell dogs were found in a cage measuring 67.5cm wide, 87cm long, and 58cm high, the court was told.

It had a nail protruding inwards and was “full of faeces and a urine soaked coat for a bed,” he said.

Mr Paul Nicholas, for Jenkins and Mullock, said they were being prosecuted for a lack of care.

He said the animals had suffered for about three weeks.

There was no malice, nastiness or brutality, but a lack of ability to look after the dogs.

He said that they had acquired the dogs from other homes because it was thought they were not being looked after so did it for the best reasons.

Mr Nicholas added: “They didn’t have the ability to look after them. They do realise that.”

The court heard all the dogs had now been seen by a vet and were in the care of the RSPCA.

Mr Murphy said all the animals can now be re-homed.

By Suzanne Roberts