Owner of pet dog 'Elmo' - whose ordeal shocked the RSPCA - given suspended sentence by Wirral magistrates

Linda Clark, 65, from Prenton, appeared before magistrates and admitted causing unnecessary suffering to her cross-breed dog "Elmo."

Elmo when he arrived at vet's surgery in January this year

Her appearance before the Wirral bench concluded a lengthy investigation carried out by the RSPCA.

The ordeal of ten-year-old Elmo was reported across the nation.

An animal charity put up a £10,000 reward to track down his owner and an online petition was formed calling for "Justice for Elmo."

After he was found in Flaybrick Cemetery in January X-rays showed he had multiple bone fractures and joint dislocations due to an untreated arthritic condition and would have been in "immense pain and discomfort."

X-ray showing Elmo's fractured leg

At the time RSPCA animal welfare officer John Littlewood said: "I have been in this job for 23 years and I have never been involved in a case as upsetting as this. I am dumbstruck."

Elmo's condition meant there was no choice but to put him to sleep.

District Judge Michael Abelson said he was “not surprised by the reaction this case received.”

Clark, of Egan Road, wept as she was handed a three-month sentence suspended for two years.

She pleaded guilty to causing "unnecessary suffering" and also admitted failing to provide adequate veterinary care and attention to help with the animal's condition.

But in a letter provided to Judge Abelson she explained that due to her own mobility problems she had become unable to care for Elmo - known to her by the name "Trouble."

Quentin Neal, defending, told the court his client had entrusted the dog to another person on the understanding he was to take him to the local RSPCA branch.

But instead, it was claimed, he left the pet in Flaybrick.

It is believed Elmo had been there for 48 hours before being discovered.

Mr Neal said Clark, who had owned the dog since he was a puppy and was previously of good character, became frightened to take Elmo to the vet as "he was her only friend" and she did not want to see him put down.

Judge Abelson told Clark: “To give you a lesser sentence would not be fair and would send out the wrong message.

“We treat these types of cases very seriously.”

Her co-accused was unable to attend court and will appear on May 20.

Clark was banned from keeping animals for ten years and ordered to pay veterinary fees of £300.

Elmo when he was found in Flaybrick cemetery

Wirral RSPCA Inspector Anthony Joynes said after sentence was passed: "This case obviously attracted huge public outrage and it is only down to members of the public that we have been able to fully investigate this incident and bring two individuals before the courts so i thank them for their assistance.

"Elmo, whose actual name was 'Trouble', had been left with multiple bone fractures and joint dislocations due to an untreated arthritic condition and would have been in immense pain and discomfort every day for many months and probably much longer.

"That is completely unacceptable no matter what the mitigating circumstances of the owner are.

"Animals rely on us completely to provide veterinary care for them when they become ill or are injured."

He added: "Failing to provide this is a criminal offence which not only the RSPCA but the courts take seriously.

"It is also something that the public clearly won't stand for and rightly so as animal cruelty and neglect is abhorrent and has no place in today's society."

To help the RSPCA continue to care for animals in Wirral text RSAJ88 3 to 70070 to give £3.