THREE people have been banned from keeping animals after Staffordshire bull terrier puppies were left to suffer without the care they needed.

Douglas Weeks and Elizabeth Weeks, both of Kendale Road, Bridgwater, appeared at North Somerset Magistrates’ Court on August 26

They were sentenced after pleading guilty to animal welfare offences following a prosecution by the RSPCA.

On October 27 , a third person, Annette Weeks of Lords Way, Bridgwater appeared at Taunton Magistrates’ Court.

She was found guilty at the hearing and sentenced in the conclusion of the case.

RSPCA Inspector Jo Daniel, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, was called to the address in Bridgwater on January 30 after concerns were raised about the welfare of dogs at the property.

She said: “I went into the living room which was dark with curtains drawn and little natural light. There was a very strong unpleasant smell in this room of stale urine and faeces.

"There were bare floorboards and these were heavily soiled with urine and faeces.There were eight dogs in this room - seven juveniles and one adult dog.

"Some were swarming and barking around me and occasionally snapping and growling at each other.

“It was immediately apparent that many of the dogs were in very poor bodily condition with easily seen ribs, spine and pelvis. They also had obvious scarring and scabs, especially over their faces.

"Several of the young dogs were subdued and appeared very submissive. There was no food or water available to the dogs in this room.”

The puppies were rushed to a vet who examined them and discovered that all of the younger dogs were suffering and underweight as a result of their inappropriate or insufficient diet.

The vet said the dogs were suffering due to their hunger.

They also discovered that they all had evidence of injuries from fighting with each other which would be causing them unnecessary pain and that the overcrowded conditions that the dogs were living in did not allow them to exhibit their natural behaviour.

The adult dog, who was in better condition and unlike the rest of the dogs did not have injuries, was found to have not had his needs met.

Elizabeth Weeks, who was in breach of an existing animal ban, was given an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to pay £300 in costs and £122 victim surcharge. She has to complete a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement and has been disqualified for 10 years from keeping all animals, which she can not appeal for five years.

Douglas Weeks was given a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to pay £300 costs and £122 victim surcharge. He was also ordered to complete 35 days rehabilitation activity requirement and disqualified from keeping all animals for 10 years, which he can not appeal for five years.

Annette Weeks was disqualified from keeping dogs for three years, which she can not appeal for two years. She was also fined £60, £100 costs and a £32 victim surcharge.

All the dogs - including Twiglet, were rehomed by the team at RSPCA Brent Knoll Animal Centre - have since recovered in the care of the RSPCA and have all found new homes.