A vile couple who kept a terrier tethered to a chain which was embedded in faeces and frozen by ice have been banned from keeping animals for life.

David William Lee, 51, and Lydia Ann Lee, 54, both of The Oaks, Radfall Ride, Whitstable, were charged with causing unnecessary suffering by failing to investigate and address the cause of her poor body condition and weight loss.

They were also charged with keeping the terrier, named Frances, in the filthy kennel which had a sodden carpet and no bedding or dry lying place.

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Mr Lee was also charged with possession of live wild birds - 12 goldfinches and a redpoll - as well as intentionally taking wild birds and possessing traps.

They appeared at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

RSPCA Inspector Carroll Lamport was one of the inspectors on the scene in January when they arrived at the property following an investigation of wild bird trapping and keeping.

WARNING: Distressing scenes

He said: “It was a very upsetting scene. Whilst there I found the little dog frozen to the floor of the kennel as the chain was frozen fast.

"This was a very nasty case of a deliberate act of long term cruelty as the trapping of birds is a planned act, and this was coupled with the long term neglect of the pitiful little dog that I found in filthy, wet and frozen conditions.

“It was a very upsetting and unnecessary case of deliberate, planned and callous cruelty.”

Mrs Lee was sentenced to 12 weeks in custody, suspended for two years, and a 12-week curfew. She was also ordered to pay £300 in costs and a £115 victim surcharge.

Mr Lee was sentenced to 18 weeks in custody, suspended for two years, and an 18-week curfew. He was also ordered to pay £750 in costs and a £115 victim surcharge.

They were also both disqualified from keeping animals for life.

Frances was treated for mange and malnourishment and was later re-homed.