A man has been banned from keeping animals for five years after his three greyhounds were found living in squalor, emaciated and losing fur.

Joe Pearce, 24 of Lodge Lane, Waltham Abbey, pleaded guilty to offences under the Animal Welfare Act at Colchester Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

He was made to pay £250 costs, a £60 victim surcharge and given a 12 month community order, on top of the ban.

Concern about the dogs’ welfare had been raised in October when the RSPCA found the greyhounds, Rodney, Bobby and Wendy, underweight and living in very dirty conditions. 

Although advice was given in this initial visit, when the RSPCA returned in November they found conditions had deteriorated further.

With no water available for the dogs, all of them were underweight and Wendy was suffering from fur loss.

RSPCA inspector Matt Gough said: “There was rubbish and faeces all over the floor, and they were getting thinner despite our advice about diet, so we had to act and take them into our care to safeguard their welfare.

“All the dogs made a good recovery in our Leybourne centre and Rodney has already found a new home; Wendy and Bobby are still waiting to be rehomed.

“As they are so attached to each other now we hope we can find them a home together.”

If you are interested in rehoming Wendy and Bobby, please contact the RSPCA’s Leybourne Animal Centre direct on 0300 123 0751.