A ROOFER who starved his two dogs has been banned from keeping all animals for 15 years.

Andrew Neil Puzey, 39, of St Clement's Gardens, Boscombe, allowed seven-year-old Staffordshire bull terriers Stella and Murphy to become so emaciated that their hip, spine and pelvic bones could be seen.

Bournemouth Magistrates Court heard when inspectors visited Puzey's previous home address in Somerford Road, Christchurch, on April 5 last year, they found a garden full of dog faeces and a filthy kitchen.

In another room, broken glass was discovered all over the floor, which the dogs could have stepped on, said prosecutor for the RSPCA, Matthew Knight.

Stella had an untreated ulcerated wound, overgrown claws and fractured teeth and appeared "shy and depressed".

Murphy was so thin that his skin appeared to be "glued" to his skeleton, added Mr Knight.

A veterinary examination later found that Murphy weighed just 9.1kg and Stella 9.7kg with the correct weight of an adult Staffordshire bull terrier between 17 and 19kg.

Vets said that the dogs may have been consistently starved for a period of around two months.

Puzey told the RSPCA that at the time he was out of work and "short of money", the court heard.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

District Judge Roger House also ordered Puzey to do 150 hours' community service and to pay the total court costs of £2,100 at a rate of £60 a week.

He told Puzey there was a "marked difference" between his case and cases of deliberate cruelty.

He added: "It seems to me you live in a bit of a tip yourself, let alone the dogs. The state of the place was appalling.

"You were out of work and extremely short of money. While that gives an insight into what was going on it doesn't excuse it."

Speaking afterwards Insp Graham Hammond described it as "a horrendous case of cruelty".

Both dogs have since made a good recovery and been found new homes, he said.

He added: "If you can't provide for your animals either you ask for help from the RSPCA or don't own an animal.

"To allow two animals to starve for as long as two months is totally unacceptable."