THE sentencing of a man who left his dog starving and alone in squalid conditions at a Birkenhead home for "at least four days" has been adjourned while reports are compiled.

Woodchurch man Sean Lawton was convicted of animal cruelty in his absence by Wirral magistrates on February 17, following the discovery of the Staffordshire bull terrier and lurcher cross last October.

He was due to be sentenced this morning, but as he had no legal representation, sentencing has been adourned until the morning of Wednesday, April 1 for reports to be compiled.

He was released on unconditional bail and told he faces a community penalty or imprisonment.

Explaining his absence to magistrates today, Mr Lawton said he was unable to attend the hearing in October, as he was on a work-based training scheme. He said he had sent a letter to the court explaining the situation.

During his trial, Wirral Magistrates heard that Mr Lawton, 28, of Big Meadow Road, had tried to sell the dog on Facebook without success and previously admitted responsibility for the dog during interview with the RSPCA.

Animal welfare officers found three-year-old “Sam” without food or water and surrounded by mouldy faeces in the Hinderton Road property, which was said to reek of ammonia.

The court heard on that day that 'Sam' had chewed through a door and wall to reach a window ledge so that it could be seen by the outside world.

Magistrates convicted Lawton on four counts of failing to meet the needs of his dog, adjourning his case until March to allow him the “opportunity” to attend.

The court found that Lawton had failed to provide an adequate supply of food and water, appropriate care and supervision, maintain its body condition and provide a suitable environment.

Chris Murphy, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, told magistrates the animal welfare charity received a call from a concerned member of the public on October 24 after Sam was spotted sitting on the inside window ledge of the property.

Paper seals were placed on the front door and rear gate of the property. They were checked each day for the next four days but we unbroken, showing that no one had returned to the property.

RSPCA Inspector Anthony Joynes – who had been feeding Sam through the letterbox during this time – entered the property with police and a vet on October 28, finding to be in a state of “absolute squalor”.

Mr Murphy told magistrates the property smelled so strongly of ammonia that it “stung the eyes” of those who entered.

No food or water was to be found anywhere in the property.

“The vet immediately said that offences had been committed due to the environment and body condition of the dog,” said Mr Murphy.

“The animal was undernourished and underweight. The dog appeared to have chewed right through to the brick work of the wall and door in order to get onto the window ledge to be seen by the outside world.”

Wirral Globe: Photographs show the "squalor" Sam was left in.

Sam was taken to a vet, who gave him a body score of just 2 – one being emaciated and five being obese. He weighed 15.3kg.

Mr Murphy said: “The vet anticipated the dog had been in this condition for four days but due to  the amount of faeces, which had gone mouldy, believed the dog had been left alone for longer, at least a week to 10 days.”

The court heard that Lawton was identified as the dog’s owner and had attended a nearby police station after hearing about ongoing enquiries.

During interview, Lawton accepted full responsibility for the dog.

Mr Murphy said: “It was established that he had tried one month earlier on Facebook to have the dog rehomed without success.

“Lawton said his child’s mother had left him and he was left with the dog.  He said he had lived there since February 2011 and moved out about two weeks before the dog was taken by the RSPCA – he had no money and no way of getting there.”

Wirral Globe:
Sam chewed through a door and wall to reach a window ledge so that it could be seen by the outside world.

The court heard that Lawton had tried to make arrangements for someone to feed the dog and accepted what he had done was wrong.

Mr Murphy added: “He said he was working 10 hours a day and he couldn’t walk the dog and play with him as he would have liked. He said he didn’t want to have him put down as he was a good dog.

“Lawton said he didn’t mean for it to happen like this, it had all got on top of him and he had let the dog down.”

Magistrates convicted Lawton in his absence and agreed to adjourn his case until March 3 to give him the opportunity to attend court.

Following the hearing, RSPCA Inspector Anthony Joynes said: “This was a serious case of neglect in which poor Sam was left with no food, no water, no company and in absolute squalor for a prolonged period of time.

“People need to realise that taking on a dog could be a 15 year responsibility. It is not acceptable to just dump and neglect your pet at the slightest change in circumstances.

“Luckily Sam is doing very well and is now looking for a new home.”

If you would like to help the RSPCA to continue to bring animal cruelty cases to court, you can text HELP59 to 70099 to give £3.