A MAN who forced his dog and her puppies to live outside without proper shelter or fresh water has been banned from keeping animals for 10 years.

Chetan Bali, aged 23, of Lansdowne Avenue, Slough, was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering and for failing to ensure the welfare of his dog Kiki and her three six-month-old puppies - Ziggy, Zoe and Black Nose - all Japanese Akita type dogs, and was sentenced at Reading Magistrates’ Court on January 5.

Slough Borough Council began investigating when residents reported concerns about the welfare of the dogs and served Mr Bali with a legal notice requiring him to improve conditions in August 2014, which he initially complied with.

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However, when further checks revealed conditions had deteriorated again, the council decided to step in to rescue the dogs on October 7, 2014.

The team found Kiki and the puppies living permanently outside with no bedding, in a pen made out of Heras fencing, providing no shelter from the weather.

The dogs had no clean water to drink and they were surrounded by their own faeces.

The officers also found a number of hazards in the garden including nails and rusty metal, which put Kiki at risk of harm.

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Linda Corcoran, housing and enforcement officer for Slough Borough Council, said: “The judge said he could see for himself from the photos how dangerous conditions were for people, let alone dogs.

“Every dog has a right to a safe environment and Mr Bali’s back yard was far from safe.”

Mr Bali pleaded not guilty to the two animal welfare offences and guilty to a bail offence for appearing late in court.

He received a 12-month community order for each offence, as well as being banned from keeping animals for 10 years.

The community orders, which will be served concurrently, require Mr Bali to sign in at an attendance centre every day. He will also be supervised for 12 months and must complete five days of employment training.

Mr Bali was also ordered to pay £600 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

All four dogs have since been rehomed and are now getting lots of love and attention with their new owners.

Anyone with any concerns about a dog’s welfare should contact the neighbourhood enforcement team on 01753 875254. All calls are treated in confidence.