A couple who left their elderly dog alone while on holiday have been given suspended prison sentences.
Keith Byrne, 38, and Sophie Singer, 42, left their boxer Bentley at their home in Eastbourne, East Sussex, as they went on a family holiday to a Center Parc.
The dog was rescued by RSPCA inspectors called by neighbors, but a vet was unable to save the animal.
At Lewes Crown Court on Monday, Byrne was sentenced to nine months and Singer to six months, both suspended for two years.
RSPCA inspector Tony Woodley said he found the emaciated dog at the foot of the stairs, with food left for him by neighbors.
The veterinarian who treated Bentley said the dog also had overly long nails that would have made it difficult for him to walk, an ear infection and a skin condition.
The vet thought Bentley had been neglected for more than four weeks.
An autopsy revealed he had been reduced to eating rubbish, including food wrappers and a felt-tip pen.
Byrne and Singer were found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and banned from owning animals for five years.
They were also ordered to carry out 300 and 200 hours of unpaid work respectively, and each pay £350 costs.
Inspector Woodley said: “This poor dog was in a lot of pain while his owners, who had abandoned him, went on a family holiday.
“The RSPCA thanks local residents for alerting us to the sad plight of this dog and thanks to our actions with the support of Sussex Police, we were able to take Bentley to a vet, although unfortunately we were unable to save him.
“This case should be seen as a clear warning: just because an animal is old does not give its owner an excuse not to provide basic veterinary care and treatment. »
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