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A woman has been banned from having pets for 10 years after she left her dog "crawling with fleas".
Jacqueline Blackmore of Mere Gate, Margate, has admitted causing unnecessary suffering to her Jack Russell terrier Sammy.
Shocking video shows terrier crawling with fleas
RSPCA inspectors say they first found the dog being kept outside and covered in urine stains.
During a follow-up visit, the animal charity says Sammy was discovered shut in a small crate in the living room with no water or bedding.
Vets later found the poor dog was infested with hundreds of live fleas and had "chewed his legs red raw", according to the inspectors.
Blackmore was sentenced on Thursday, January 14, at Folkestone Magistrates Court to a three-year conditional discharge.
She was ordered to pay £400 in costs and disqualified from keeping any animals for 10 years.
She had previously pleaded guilty to one offence of causing unnecessary suffering to her Jack Russell terrier, Sammy, under Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act.
RSPCA inspector Kirsten Ormerod, who led the investigation, said: “On October 17 my colleague was taken in to see Sammy who was being kept outside.
"He was in a poor condition, was covered in urine stains, had overgrown nails and was clearly suffering from an untreated flea infestation. She issued a warning notice to get Sammy seen by a vet."
But the following week, the RSPCA established Sammy had not been to see a vet and that Blackmore's other dog, Poppy, had been put to sleep due to having tumours.
After finding Sammy in the tiny crate at the beginning of November, the charity's officers took Sammy to a vet.
“Poor Sammy was absolutely crawling with fleas," said the inspector.
"They were all over his back and he was almost completely bald across his rear end and had chewed his legs red raw. He was visibly uncomfortable and kept scratching and shaking. His skin was red and inflamed and smelt of urine.”
Vets found 420 live fleas crawling through his fur. He was treated by staff and remained in RSPCA care while officers investigated.
Following the sentencing, the inspector said: “We understand that people’s circumstances can sometimes make it difficult to care for their pets but as owners it is our responsibility to ensure that they are free from pain and discomfort and, in this case, she had clearly failed poor Sammy.”
After just a month of treatment, Sammy returned to the vets and his skin was much improved. He then moved to an RSPCA centre and was rehomed.
“Sammy is getting on really brilliantly in his new home and is loving life,” the inspector added.
“It’s wonderful to see the transformation he’s made and know he’s now got his happy ending!”
