A WOMAN has been banned from keeping animals for 10 years after leaving her rottweiler with her teenage son for a month.

Rochdale were told the dog was put down after being found starved inside a garden littered with knives and broken glass.

Its owner, Jacqulyn Alexander, 43, had gone to Scotland and left the dog in the care of her 13-year-old son and ex-husband.

The dog, called Harry, was taken into RSPCA care last August after officers found it living in dilapidated kennels covered in urine and faeces at a house in Raneley Grove, Kirkholt.

Harry had been living in the back garden with an English bull terrier-type dog known as Shady.

The kennels were surrounded by broken glass, protruding nails and black bags.

Harry had been locked inside one of the runs and was severely malnourished, he was suffering from serious problems with his back legs, finding it difficult to stand.

Shady was allowed to run loose among the broken glass and faeces.

RSPCA officer Alison Wilkinson believed that because Shady was allowed to run free he had been able to keep himself alive by stealing from bins, while Harry’s confinement had caused severe deterioration.

Speaking outside court, Ms Wilkinson said: "The condition of the garden was shocking, it was in an appalling state.

"Walking across the garden was difficult as there were endless bin liners, knives, broken glass and a pick axe.

"The ‘rottie’ was confined in a makeshift dog pen with no door, we had to rip the wire away to free him.

"He was in a terrible state, very weak and lethargic.

"He was desperately hungry – he even attempted to eat a dirty nappy."

Both dogs were assessed by an RSPCA vet, who believed that they had been suffering for at least four weeks.

Alexander originally pleaded not guilty to the charge of failing to make adequate arrangements for the provision of a clean and healthy living environment, along with adequate supply of food and fresh water.

She believed that her arrangements to leave the dogs in the care of her son and ex-husband while she visited her ill mother in Scotland had been satisfactory.

Alexander was disqualified from owning animals for 10 years, fined £165 and ordered to pay RSPCA and vet fees of £617.