Man admits neglect of dogs denied food and water

Reggie Bennett pleaded guilty to seven charges including having a fighting dog and banned XL bully

A man has admitted neglecting 11 dogs which did not have proper access to food and water including seven puppies and an XL bully.

Reggie Bennett pleaded guilty to seven charges in relation to the animals when he appeared at West Cumbria Magistrates' Court in Workington.

The 32-year-old admitted having a fighting dog, a banned XL bully named Max, at a property in Cleator Moor, on 20 January, when police visited for an unrelated matter.

Pam Fee, prosecuting, said the dogs did not have access to food or water and Bella, the mother of the puppies, had mites. Bennett was given conditional bail and will be sentenced on 26 November.

The breeds of the other dogs were not specified in court.

He also admitted failing to ensure he met the needs of Max, three other adult dogs and the puppies aged about five to six weeks.

Ms Fee said three adult male dogs were found shut inside a 6.5ft by 13ft (2m by 4m) room with no water.

"The floor was littered with faeces and there was a strong smell of urine," she told magistrates.

She said the dogs had been seized and some had "quite significant health issues".

Bennett, of Main Street, Cleator, agreed to sign them over so they could be re-homed, the court heard.