A DOG owner has been jailed for leaving her two pets suffering with untreated fighting injuries in squalid conditions.

Staffordshire bull terriers Rex and Rory were discovered surrounded by rubbish and faeces when RSPCA inspectors visited Talia Forward's home.

Forward, 31, of Hilly Park, Norton Fitzwarren, pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 following a prosecution by the animal welfare charity.

Somerset County Gazette: erw

INJURED DOGS: Forward's bedroom

She was sentenced to three months in jail on both counts, with the prison terms to run concurrently, and banned from keeping any animals, which she cannot appeal against for six years.

Photos of the appalling state of the inside of Forward's home taken by the RSPCA inspectors in November last year were seen in court.

They showed an upturned television on the floor of the lounge, with the carpet caked in dog faeces and several plastic littered bags around the room, and rubbish strewn across the bedroom floor with the dogs standing on the bed, while the bathroom floor, sink and toilet were filthy.

Somerset County Gazette: FILTH: The bathroom in Talia Forward's home

FILTH: The bathroom in Talia Forward's home

RSPCA inspector Jo Daniel, who investigated the case, told the County Gazette: "Forward failed to provide proper and necessary veterinary care and a suitable environment for Rex and Roxy.

"The condition of the dogs was heartbreaking, and it is beyond belief that anyone could deem it acceptable to keep animals in such filthy, squalid surroundings."

Forward was jailed when she appeared at Taunton Crown Court on Friday, August 10.

Forward had admitted at Taunton Magistrates' Court in May to one count of not taking reasonable steps to ensure Rex and Roxy were provided with a suitable environment that was hygienic and/or free from hazards

She had also pleaded guilty to not ensuring the two dogs were protected from pain, injury and/or suffering as a consequence of a failure to prevent them fighting.