A Somerset woman has been disqualified from keeping animals for five years after admitting causing unnecessary suffering to a dog.

Latoyah Donna Stones (date of birth: 24/2/1992) of Hillcrest Road, Yeovil, was sentenced after pleading guilty to one offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 when she appeared at South Somerset Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, June 17.

The female Dogue de Bordeaux, named Boston, had been taken to Vets4Pets in Yeovil on September 22, 2019 by Stones, who claimed the severely malnourished dog was a stray she had found.

Boston, who weighed just 30kg at the time, was taken to St Giles Animal Rescue by the local authority dog warden and social media appeals for information regarding the dog were made.

Stones name was put forward by members of the public who identified her as being Boston’s owner, which she later admitted when interviewed.

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RSPCA inspector Jo Daniel, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, said: “The vet who examined Boston found her to be very thin, weighing just 30kg when a similar dog in healthy condition could be expected to weigh between 40 to 45kg, and said the dog’s condition was because of a failure to provide adequate food to maintain a normal bodily condition.

“In conclusion, the vet found no underlying causes that would have led to her being in the state she was, adding that she would have suffered for a number of months and have suffered hunger and fatigue during that time.

“This picture, which was taken ten days after she went into the care of the rescue centre, shows what an awful condition she was in.

"Thankfully, she’s now recovered thanks to simply being given an appropriate diet and the care she needs."

Alongside the animal ownership ban, Stones was sentenced 20 rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) days and ordered to pay £200 towards court costs.

Boston has since been rehomed.