A dad from Dartford has been sentenced after allowing his dog to suffer a debilitating condition unnecessarily – leading to him having to be put down.

Alexander Boyd admitted to failing to take steps to prevent his white Staffordshire Bull Terrior, Brindle, from suffering between April 15 and May 6 this year.

Brindle suffered for some time and had to be put down due to high culpability and greater harm.

The 35-year-old, of Kirby Road in Dartford, did not investigate or address the cause of Brindle’s hand limb paralysis, debilitated condition, incontinence and neck pain.

He “caused the animal to suffer”, permitting it to happen and failing to take reasonable steps to prevent it from happening.

The suffering was “unnecessary” according to court reports from the hearing at Bexley Magistrates’ Court on August 25.

Boyd was consequently committed to prison for 12 weeks suspended for two years and fined £500.

He is disqualified from owning, keeping or participating in keeping an animal for five years.

He also cannot be part of an arrangement where he is entitled to control or influence the way an animal is kept for the same period of time.

The reason for the suspended sentence was that Boyd would lose his job and accommodation if he goes to prison as he has dependent children to support.

He must instead carry out 100 hours of unpaid work within the next 12 months – supervised by a responsible officer.

If his sentence is activated, his overall sentence length is 12 weeks.

The fine includes £240 compensation and costs of £260.

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