Heywood man banned from keeping animals for five years

A Heywood man who was found guilty in his absence on two counts of failing to provide a suitable environment for animals and one count of failing to ensure an animal was kept free from pain, suffering and disease, appeared for sentencing at Rochdale Magistrates Court last week. Sean Edward Ramsey, 20, was banned from keeping animals for five years.

Ramsey left a Staffordshire bull terrier confined to the front room of a flat in Abbey Road, Hollin, when he moved out of the property in May last year. RSPCA inspectors rescued the dog, which had been forced to sleep in its own faeces; after he was seen whimpering at the window, however, the dog died a few days after being rescued.

Ramsey also kept two garter snakes in an empty tank with no source of heat; these were also rescued from the flat.

Speaking after Ramsey's sentencing, RSPCA Inspector Bowles said: "I am pleased that the court took this matter seriously. The fact that these matters have had to be taken into consideration to be sentenced reflects his overall attitude to his responsibilities. Both snakes have been successfully re-housed and are considerably larger."