An evil dog owner has been banned from keeping animals for 10 years after he chained his pet pooch to a shed for so long it was forced to drink its own urine to survive.
David Nicholls, 55, shackled his 16-year-old Jack Russell, called Nato, for up to three weeks in freezing conditions in February this year.
Shocked RSPCA officers discovered Nato on March 15 who was so weak he could barely stand and was covered in weeping sores.
Vet’s were forced to remove his left eye after an easily treatable infection had been left to go septic.
Shockingly, last May Nicholls was convicted of mistreating another dog, a Staffordshire Terrier, after he bought it in a pub and left it tied to a park bench.
Nicholls admitted causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and was given a 10-year ban on keeping pets along with an 18-month community order at Stafford Magistrates Court.
He was also ordered to pay vet’s costs of £465.
Sentencing him, Chairman Doug Hood said: “This matter of causing unnecessary cruelty to the dog is a serious case. Anyone would have realised that the dog needed treatment.
“This is also compounded by your previous discharge for a similar matter.”
The court heard Nicholls, of Blurton, Staffs., left Nato in such a poor condition the dog was forced to drink its own urine and eat its faeces to survive.
Kevin Worthington, prosecuting, said: “This dog had been caused unnecessary suffering by the failure to seek veterinary care.
“Even the most uninformed lay person would be able to tell it required attention.”
Glenn Cook, defending, said Nato had now been rehomed.
He added: “It’s good to hear that the dog has been responding well to treatment.
“I understand Nato is soon to be celebrating his 17th birthday.”
After the hearing, RSPCA officer Laura Bryant said: “Nato would have needed only basic treatment if Nicholls had taken him to the vet.
“But leaving him for so long made his injuries horrific.”
