A WOMAN was given a six-week suspended jail sentence for causing unnecessary suffering to two dogs and two cats, in a case brought by the RSPCA. Kim Wood admitted causing unnecessary suffering and failing to meet the welfare needs of the pets when she app

A WOMAN was given a six-week suspended jail sentence for causing unnecessary suffering to two dogs and two cats, in a case brought by the RSPCA.

Kim Wood admitted causing unnecessary suffering and failing to meet the welfare needs of the pets when she appeared before Peterborough magistrates on Monday.

Her jail sentence has been suspended for 18 months, but magistrates also banned Wood from keeping animals for 10 years, ordered her to do 120 hours of community service and pay �500 in costs.

Magistrates heard how Wood, 39, of Whitacre, Parnwell, Peterborough, left her four animals alone between Friday 20 and Monday 23 June 2008.

RSPCA inspector Kat Parfitt discovered a large amount of faeces and urine on the floors and surfaces in the house and found that the animals were all very thirsty.

A veterinary surgeon was called in and agreed that the RSPCA should remove the animals.

The vet said that Raspberry, an 11-year-old tortoiseshell cat, was thin, dehydrated and infested with fleas.

Gizmo, a 10-year-old black and white papillon dog was also underweight, was suffering from an untreated dental disease and had fleas.

Prinny, a 12-year-old Jack Russell terrier, was dehydrated and suffering from an untreated dental disease. Smokey, a 10-year-old black cat, had fleas.

The vet concluded that the owner had failed to meet the welfare needs of all four animals due to their flea problems and the unsafe, dirty environment.

Ms Parfitt said: "These animals had been left without water in filthy, unsafe surroundings. Added to this was the lack of veterinary treatment for the two that needed it and lack of flea treatment for all four. This amounted to a wholly unsatisfactory and unacceptable situation.