A WIRRAL man has been jailed for five months after his neglected Staffordshire Bull Terrier had to put down after an untreated tumour ravaged its body.

Wallasey man Michael George Williams was sentenced to 20 weeks in prison by Wirral magistrates today, Wednesday, and banned from owning animals for life.

The 59-year-old, of Kendal Road, was also made to pay a total of £580 in costs.

Williams was convicted in his absence of offences under the Animal Welfare Act relating to the unnecessary suffering of his 10-year-old dog "Stitch" caused by his failure to seek veterinary treatment for an aggressive mammary tumour.

The RSPCA attended his home in December last year after concern about the animal, which was found with a large hole in its abdomen caused by the “melon-sized” tumour.

The dog was also underweight and scored just three on the body score index - one being emaciated and nine being overweight.

RSPCA inspector Anthony Joynes found Stitch collapsed on the couch as Williams and a friend sat drinking and smoking while watching TV.

The court heard that on entering the property, Inspector Joynes could smell infection and necrotic flesh.

Chris Murphy, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said the smell was “repulsive,” with Stitch taken immediately from the property by Inspector Joynes.

He said: “He seized the dog and took it to Upton vets, by this time the wound was bleeding profusely.

“The decision was made to euthanise the animal to put it out of its suffering.”

During interview, Williams admitted sole responsibility for the dog – which he said he had voluntarily taken in five years ago.

He had never registered it to any vet but the PDSA were aware of his ownership.

“When asked why he hadn’t taken the dog he said he had been phoning them and leaving messages but he may have got the wrong number,” said Mr Murphy.

“He thought the dog was going to die at home and he was scared of losing her.

"He said he knew it was too late and he would be going to court. He said he deserved it.”

Williams had previously taken Stitch to the PDSA in January last year, when he was told she had cancer.

The appointment was followed up one month later when he was told Stitch would need an operation to remove the tumour.

But Mr Murphy told the court that Williams had failed to turn up to the appointment and, when a second operation was scheduled, that too was missed.

Magistrates heard that the operation could have saved Stitch.

Mr Murphy said: “The mass would have been present for a great deal of time, at least one to two months. The dog would have been in a severe amount of pain and discomfort.”

Gerry Pachter, defending, told the court Williams suffers with a number of health problems. He described him as an alcoholic.

He said: “Williams volunteered to take the dog in and said she has been a good companion. He misses the dog and he’s appalled and disgusted by his behaviour.

“As is quite common in these cases, it’s not a deliberate act of being cruel.

“Had he not been a drunk, had he been sober and had he been wiser, he would have addressed his issues and the issues of the dog and its suffering.”

Mr Pachter added: “He apologises. Whatever happens to him today, he has to live with the fact that a nice dog, a pet of his, suffered as a result of his negligence.”

Speaking after the case, RSPCA Inspector Anthony Joynes said: “Williams clearly didn't care about the welfare of poor Stitch as when I arrived he was sat drinking and smoking, so the excuse of not wanting to lose her I'm afraid just does not wash.

"Stitch was left to suffer unimaginable pain and discomfort for months and months while Williams went on with his normal lifestyle.

"He now has months on his own to sit in a cell and think about what he has done.”

If you would like to donate to the RSPCA, you can text HELP59 to 70099 to give £3.