A BIRKENHEAD man who starved his dog to within two days of death will be sentenced later today.

Robert Daniel Murphy admitted causing unnecessary suffering to his white American bulldog “Belle” when he appeared before Wirral magistrates in December.

Sentencing had been due to take place last month but delays with pre-sentence reports pushed it back until today, Monday.

During his last appearance, the court heard how the 27-year-old, of Dingle Road, had failed to feed the dog correctly for at least two months between June 29 and August 29, 2014.

Chris Murphy, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, told magistrates how the defendant’s girlfriend had taken the dog to the vets after it had collapsed on his couch.

He said: “The vet was so concerned about the condition of the dog that he immediately called the RSPCA.

“The dog was emaciated, weighing just 11.6kg, was dehydrated  and was too weak to bare any weight.

“The vet was sure that the animal would have died within the next 24 to 48 hours if left alone.”

Magistrates heard how Robert Murphy had admitted ownership of the dog when interviewed by the RSPCA and said he had been working 10 hours a day.

“He said he had the dog for two years from a puppy and had got himself into a state. He was also seeing his daughter in the evenings,” added Chris Murphy.

“He was unable to afford proper food things and car for the animal and said he started feeding him biscuits but it had choked.”

Wirral Globe:
Belle was severely emaciated and weighed just 11.6kg when RSPCA Inspectors found her.

The court heard that Robert Murphy had “noticed the change” in the dog but said it had “always been skinny”.

He said the “stress of work” and the breakdown of his relationship had caught up with him.

Chris Murphy said: “He didn’t pay enough attention to the dog and accepted he should have done more or had the dog rehomed.”

Representing himself, Robert Murphy said he was currently “off sick” and was a recovering alcoholic.

He told the court: “I had a lot on my plate at the time. I was doing volunteer work, trying to get myself back on the straight and narrow.”

Following his first appearance, RSPCA Inspector Anthony Joynes said: "Belle was quite possibly the skinniest alive dog I have seen in my career.

"She was literally on the brink of starvation which was a heartbreaking sight to see.

"Thankfully she has made a full recovery and more than doubled her weight with no treatment apart from food. Treating a dog in this was is completely unacceptable and people can expect to brought before the courts for it."

The case was adjourned for “all options” reports to be prepared ahead of sentencing.

Murphy remains on unconditional bail until this afternoon.