A DOG left suffering for months by his owner in a "horrendous condition" has died.

Dalton Wills of Harrison Road, Southampton, left his German Shepherd, Chase, to suffer with chronic skin problems with evidence of severe chronic self trauma and marked secondary skin infection.

Officers from the RSPCA were contacted with concerns about Chase in August 2018 and found the dog with hair loss over his rump and down his thighs.

A veterinary inspection later confirmed that Wills failure to ensure necessary treatment, care and attention for his dog’s skin disease caused suffering unnecessarily for between two and three months.

Chase was later put to sleep due to his suffering.

RSPCA Inspector Tina Ward said: “Chase was in an horrendous condition and had been left without the care he needed and deserved for a significant period of time.

"Pets are reliant on owners to ensure that their needs are met, and it’s never acceptable to ignore an animal when they are in pain and distress.

“Wills did take responsibility and was remorseful and said it was never his intention to do nothing but he did.

“Chase was sadly put to sleep because he was suffering. He was given intensive treatment by vet which didn’t bring his pain and discomfort under control.”

Wills, 21, was sentenced at Southampton Magistrates Court on Friday, January 18, after pleading guilty to an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, following a prosecution by the RSPCA.

He was handed a five year disqualification from keeping any animal as well as a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and told to complete 220 hours unpaid work.

He must also pay £100 in costs and a £115 victim surcharge.