Woman escapes jail sentence for mistreatment of dog (From Haringey Independent)

Tottenham woman escapes jail sentence for mistreatment of dog

5:22pm Tuesday 22nd January 2013 in News By Bruce Thain

A woman who left her dog to starve has avoided jail - but has been banned from keeping another pet for five years.

Amy Martin, 21, her sister Chloe Martin, 23 and their mother Diane Martin admitted leaving their Staffordshire bull terrier in the urine and faeces-covered room in their house in Somerset Road, Tottenham.

When the dog, called Akita, was found by RSPCA she almost half the normal body-weight for a dog of her type and size.

RSPCA inspector Virginia Ross said: “As soon as you walked in the front door the smell was so bad it hit you like a brick wall.

“Every time the family went to the front door or into the kitchen they will have walked by poor Akita and ignored her suffering.”

Highbury and Islington Magistrates’ Court heard last Friday how the family had another dog in the house which was well cared for.

Amy Martin was given a one-year suspended prison sentence and ordered to complete 200 hours of community service and pay £100 costs.

Her sister was given an eight-week curfew, ordered to complete 120 hours' community service and pay £100 costs and the pair’s mother was also ordered to complete 120 hours' community service.

Both dogs belonging to the family were signed over to the RSPCA and Akita has been rehomed.