A FLINTSHIRE man has been barred from keeping animals for the rest of his life after a dead dog was discovered in his flat.

Christopher Paul Slawson, of Highmere Drive in Connah's Quay, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court for sentence on Wednesday.

The 59-year-old had pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, namely a jack russell terrier.

Peter Mitchell, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, told the court that Slawson was a tenant at a property in the centre of Colwyn Bay from August 2020 until May 2023.

He was interviewed in May last year after police and RSPCA inspectors forced entry into the Colwyn Bay address and discovered Milo, the defendant's dog, dead.

A vet examined Milo and gave their opinion he had died at least three weeks prior to the discovery, and he had died of emaciation.

Slawson confirmed he was the owner of Milo, and that he'd been the sole resident at the Colwyn Bay premises, but that he'd given the address up a week prior to his interview.

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He said he'd last seen Milo a number of months previously as he'd not returned to the flat due to people making threats against him.

The defendant claimed he'd made an arrangement with a homeless man named "Carl" - who had lived with him for a time - to look after the dog in his absence.

But police could not find anyone named Carl who matched the description given by Slawson.

"We have to say the explanation given by the defendant is somewhat implausible," Mr Mitchell said.

"This was prolonged neglect."

Sharley Potter, defending, told the court: "He explained he did have the dog, Milo, and that he certainly did ask this man Carl to look after him.

"He was outed in the local community in Colwyn Bay for a previous conviction and felt very unsafe, being threatened on a regular basis.

"He now lives in the Deeside area and to his credit, substances have been a previous issue for him but he is now completely abstinent.

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"He did spend a period of time detained under the Mental Health Act and has real mental health issues, as well as learning difficulties.

"Clearly he accepts by his guilty plea the responsibilities he had. He doesn't currently have any animals."

The court disqualified Slawson from owning any animal for life and handed down an 18 month high level community order.

The defendant must undertake up to 35 sessions of rehabilitation activity, as well as paying a £162 fine, £114 victim surcharge and £1,264.95 in costs.

Following the sentence, an RSPCA spokesman said: "This is a very distressing case and we are very saddened to think how Milo was just abandoned and how he would have suffered.

"If you have concerns about an animal please call our emergency helpline on 0300 1234 999.”