A man has been banned from keeping all animals for 10 years after he left his dog home alone for at least two weeks.

Joshua Exall, from Greenhithe, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a female Staffordshire bull terrier type dog called Shadow.

The 25-year-old, of Knockhall Road, failed to investigate and address the cause of her poor bodily condition, weight loss and failed to meet her welfare needs.

Exall was also ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work.

The RSPCA had received reports of a thin dog at a property in Whittlesey in Cambridgeshire in January this year.

RSPCA inspector Justin Stubbs attended the property and found a thin dog loose in the garden.

He contacted the police who attended and seized Shadow on welfare grounds and placed her in the care of the RSPCA.

Inspector Stubbs said: “Shadow was emaciated. Every rib, vertebrae, collar and pelvic bones were clearly visible.

"She was, however, active and alert and clearly craving attention and company.”

Inside the house the inspector had seen two bowls in the kitchen but there was no food and little water.

Shadow had been left for days in the same blocked off area of the kitchen, and was only able to toilet in her own living space.

The fact that there was no faeces in the kitchen suggested that the dog had eaten it due to hunger or that she had not been fed and therefore there was no food going through her to produce faeces.

A vet who examined Shadow said in their report that whilst in RSPCA care for 28 days, Shadow had gained 3.6kg and weighed 14.8kg.

The vet added: “I do believe she was suffering for at least the last 14 days with regard to lack of appropriate feeding. She would have suffered severe hunger.”

As well as the 12 month community order, in which Exall was ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work, he has also been was disqualified from keeping all animals for 10 years.

Exall was also ordered to pay £400 costs and a victim surcharge of £95.

Speaking after the case Inspector Stubbs said: “Shadow’s owner had failed in the most basic needs, of supplying appropriate food and water, for a prolonged time.

“Shadow, was a particularly friendly dog, absolutely craving attention.

“She was left for days, with no exercise, no interaction with human or another dog, and had nothing to do in a small, bare kitchen.

“She was signed over and has been doing well in RSPCA care and has now been rehomed.

“I would like to express my thanks to the members of the public who had done all they could to help Shadow.”

In mitigation the defendant had said he was very sorry and he should have done better for Shadow.

He was sentenced at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court Wednesday, August 3.