ALEX MCWILLIAMS

MAN DISQUALIFIED FROM KEEPING ANIMALS AFTER DOG'S TRAGIC END

A man named Alex McWilliams has been disqualified from keeping animals for three years after his dog, Cleo, was described as "one of the thinnest" an RSPCA inspector had ever seen.

Cleo was so severely ill that she had to be euthanized.

McWilliams, 38, from Kentish Town, was given a prison sentence of 18 weeks, suspended for 12 months, at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court in north London.

In addition to the suspended prison sentence, he was placed under a curfew with an electronic tag from 8pm to 7am daily for four months and ordered to pay costs of £250.

He was previously found guilty in his absence of offences under the Animal Welfare Act for causing unnecessary suffering to Cleo, a female tan Pitbull.

The RSPCA responded to concerns in March when inspectors arrived at his flat and found a very thin dog, who was estimated to be around 10 years old.

Inspector Nicole Broster stated: "She was one of the thinnest living dogs I have ever seen." The inspectors took her to the vet, but despite efforts to save her, she was suffering from emaciation, chronic heart failure, pulmonary disease, painful overgrown nails, and a chronic skin disease.

The vet confirmed she was in severe pain and had been suffering for some time.

Investigations revealed that McWilliams had previously taken Cleo to the vet for treatment for her heart condition, but he did not return for further treatment, and she went two months without care, leading to her suffering and eventual death.