Siblings sentenced after puppy is starved to death

Biggie's emaciated body was found in the empty home, strewn with dog mess, rubbish and clothing

A brother and sister who allowed a puppy to starve to death have been given suspended jail sentences.

The body of cane corso Biggie was found in a rubbish-strewn property, and an RSPCA inspector described the dog as "one of the thinnest animals" he had ever seen.

Aiden Sherwood, 22, of St Hugh's Green, Gorleston, Norfolk and Sasha Jackson, 23, of Dock Tavern Lane, Gorleston, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering and were banned from keeping any animals.

Sherwood was sentenced to 20 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work, while Jackson was given a 15-week term, suspended for 12 months, at Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court.

'Ransacked' kitchen

Inspector Ben Kirby was called to Dock Tavern Road and saw the emaciated body of the black nine-month-old puppy after police officers had forced their way in and found the dead animal in the lounge.

"I could see dog excrement littered all over the floors among piles of rubbish," he said in his witness statement.

"The kitchen looked as though it had been ransacked and I could barely see the floor.

"There were a set of double patio doors leading into the garden and there were muddy paw marks covering the lower portions of them as though something had been trying to escape."

Vets, who conducted a post-mortem examination report, said Biggie's death "would have taken weeks or months" and he would have undergone "extreme" suffering.

The report added Biggie "would have experienced fear and distress as he slowly starved to death".

Mr Kirby said no food or water was made available and he found "just empty bowls and torn packaging".

Sherwood and Jackson have also each been ordered to pay a £154 victim surcharge.