David Wells and Rachael Robb have been banned from keeping dogs after pet terrier Rusty was found covered in fleas with maggots between his toes

David Wells and Rachael Robb appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates Court yesterday (April 9) after RSPCA officers found their dog Rusty severely emaciated.

Rusty was approximately half his ideal weight when he was rescued, at just 5.9kg, was covered in fleas with maggots between his toes.

Inspector Will Hendry said Rusty collapsed shortly after he was found last August, in a back garden in Cricketers Way.

Mr Hendry said: “Rusty had been kept outside and collapsed almost as soon as I saw him. If he had been left there for another 24 hours I'm not sure he would have survived.

“He was signed over straight away and I managed to get him to a vet and then into the RSPCA's care. Within two months he weighed 12.85kg, which is a normal weight and more than twice what he was when I found him.

“The saddest thing was that there were other animals at the property that appeared to have been properly fed. It was just Rusty that had been neglected.”

The couple were sentenced to 120 hours of community service.

Wells, 30, of Admirals Way, Andover, was ordered to pay £500 in costs while Robb, 28, of Cricketers Way, Andover, was ordered to pay £250.

The pair initially claimed they had given Rusty to a friend and he was returned to them in an emaciated state.

They later admitted causing Rusty unnecessary suffering and failing to provide him with a proper diet and treatment for his flea infestation, in breach of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Rusty was successfully re-homed with new owners earlier this year.