A MAN who claimed he had discovered an emaciated dog which later had to be destroyed has been sent to prison for six months for causing unnecessary suffering to the appallingly treated animal.

In March, Jason Mentos, aged 26, of Astley Close, Woodrow, claimed he had discovered a neglected dog dumped on the playing fields of Dingleside Middle School in Woodrow.

He alleged he had taken the white male crossbreed back to his house and then called Redditch Council's dog warden.

But at Droitwich Magistrates Court last week, it was revealed Mentos was the owner of the dog and it was through his mistreatment that the animal was in such an atrocious condition it had to be put down.

He was given six months imprisonment - the maximum penalty that can be handed out for animal cruelty - and was banned for life from keeping any animal.

RSPCA Inspector Simon Dix said: "This was such a good result in an horrific situation, this man got the maximum punishment you can get for animal cruelty.

"I can honestly say this was the worst case I have ever had to deal with in my 18 years with the RSPCA.

"It was so appalling, Redditch's dog warden, who has seen so many bad incidents, cried when she saw this dog. Nobody who dealt with this case was unaffected."

And Mr Dix paid tribute to the people who came forward with information.

"We're so grateful to the public, it's thanks to them and their help this man was caught, sent to prison and will never be able to keep another animal in his lifetime," he added.