A HEREFORD man has been banned from keeping animals after he starved his two pet lurchers.

Paul Gwynne, 32, of Sherborne Close, Newton Farm pleaded guilty at Hereford Magistrates Court to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act.

He was disqualified from keeping animals for five years for causing unnecessary suffering to two lurchers, Barry and Jack, by failing to provide them with adequate nutrition.

Barry weighed just 16.7kg, having dropped from an original 24.5kg in 2015, while Jack weighed just 14.3kg, from a previous weight of 22kg in 2015.

Asha, a huskie type dog, was also underweight when she was rescued, and was found likely to suffer with her dietary needs not being met.

All three dogs quickly gained weight with the correct diet over a short period of time while in the care of the animal charity.

RSPCA inspector Suzi Smith, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, said: “Both Barry and Jack were severely emaciated and subject to unnecessary suffering as a result of not receiving an adequate diet or exploring the dogs’ condition over a significant amount of time. Asha was also at risk because of the lack of care being shown by Gwynne.

“The neglect experienced by these dogs could have been easily avoided but they were simply left to suffer without the care they needed and deserved.”

He pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to protected animals, namely two lurchers, between June 30 and August 30 last year by failing to adequately investigate or address the causes of their weight loss and poor bodily condition.

He also admitted failing to take such steps as were reasonable in all the circumstances to ensure the needs of an animal for which he was responsible, namely a huskie type dog, were met to the extent required by good practice between August 16 and 30.

Gwynne was fined £375. He was also ordered to pay £300 court costs and a £37 victim surcharge.