A dog breeder from Kent has been given a suspended jail sentence and banned from keeping animals for life, following a prosecution by the RSPCA.

RSPCA inspectors who visited Melanie King's business at Whents Farm on Lower Road in Teynham on 26 February last year were confronted by more than 70 dogs, some with untreated medical conditions and living in squalid kennels.

The 56-year-old appeared at Sittingbourne Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 8 September when she was convicted of six charges, and sentenced to 140 days in custody, suspended for 12 months. She was also ordered to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work and must pay £250 in costs.

Convicted of causing unnecessary suffering

King was convicted of charges including causing unnecessary suffering to a female border terrier who was suffering with serious dental problems caused by an abscess in her mouth.

The condition was so serious that some of the dog's teeth had to be subsequently removed by a vet.

King was also convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to a red Chow Chow female dog who was effectively blinded in both eyes by a condition called entropion. The dog was later put to sleep by a vet.

She was acquitted of three counts of failing to provide dogs with adequate nutrition.

Source RSPCA