A MID Devon man whose dog was found emaciated in a crate without food or water has been banned from keeping animals for 20 years.

Simon Lucas, 39, of St Andrews Road, Cullompton, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the female crossbreed by failing to address the cause of her weight loss.

The defendant appeared for sentencing at Newton Abbot Magistrates’ Court on December 16 where in addition to the disqualification, he was handed a 16-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months.

He was also told to pay the costs of the prosecution case to the value of £2,179.68.

The RSPCA was alerted when a member of the public telephoned its emergency line and raised concerns about a dog being left unattended for long periods at Lucas’ former flat in Sands Road, Paignton. It was reported he had moved address as he was seen moving possessions out of the property.

It was believed the dog had been left unattended for at least 48 hours when an officer from the animal charity entered the flat with police on March 5, 2024.

They found the tan-coloured canine confined to a crate without access to food or water.

She was taken to a veterinary practice in Torquay and later to an animal hospital.

She was in an emaciated state and suffering from severe dehydration. A vet who examined the dog said she was so thin that her suffering would have extended over a period of weeks, if not months.

In mitigation the court was told Lucas had put a new relationship above caring for the dog, and he had thought someone was looking after her.

The dog, which is around two years old, has since made a good recovery, regaining weight and muscle tone.

The defendant agreed to sign her over to the RSPCA and she has since been rehomed.