Two dog owners from Ashton have appeared before Tameside Magistrates’ Court to face separate charges of causing unnecessary suffering to the animals.

Steven Manson, 31, of Waddicor Avenue, was handed a suspended prison term and must carry out 150 hours unpaid work for causing unnecessary suffering to a white English bull terrier-type dog called Tia.

The court heard she was an older animal but Manson had failed to provide veterinary treatment for the dog which was suffering from numerous health conditions.

These included dry eye infections, dental disease, multiple mammary masses, arthritis and overgrown and ingrown claws.

He pleaded guilty to the offence and was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, for the ‘substantial amount of suffering’ the animal had endured. He was also disqualified from keeping any animals for a period of five years.

Magistrates instructed him to pay £400 court costs and a £128 victim surcharge.

In a separate hearing, Claudio Miari, 33, of Smallshaw Lane, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a German Shepherd dog called Tessa.

He had failed to provide veterinary care for the animal which was suffering from hip and spinal pain, plus he had left the dog unattended and disregarded his duty of care.

He pleaded guilty and the court ordered him to carry out 40 hours unpaid work and banned him from keeping a dog for two years.

He must pay £200 court costs and a £95 victim surcharge.

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