A DOG owner has been jailed for mistreating his two German shepherds by failing to give them adequate healthcare.

Frederick Varley, of Morris Avenue, Jaywick, originally denied four charges of causing unnecessary suffering to the animals, Bobby and Freya, between September 9 and October 28 last year.

Yesterday at Colchester Magistrates’ Court, he changed his plea and admitted the charges.

Paul Strelitz, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said officers had gone to Varley’s home in July 2008 after a tip-off, but he refused to let them in, swore at them and told them to go away.

Police were called, but were also unable to get into the house until a warrant was issued and executed, on October 28, 2008, when the dogs were taken for examination and to be cared for.

Mr Strelitz said Freya had a flea problem and an ear infection, both of which had gone untreated. She was also too thin.

He added: “He refused to sign Freya over to the care of the RSPCA, so her boarding costs kept going up and she could not be rehomed.”

When Bobby was examined, he was “very skinny” and had a skin infection, which again, had not been taken to a vet, Mr Strelitz said.

Police and RSPCA inspector Stephen Reeves had been “horrified” at the state of Bobby, who was very thin.

He added: “Bobby was described as in very poor condition. His claws were overgrown and there were clumps of fur missing on the back of his legs.

“Freya’s ear infection was only discovered during an examination by the vet. She was in a slightly better physical condition than Bobby, though her claws were overgrown.”

Mr Strelitz said the prosecution had cost the charity more than £5,000.

Varley’s lawyer, Philippa Beswick, said he had initially denied the charges because Bobby did not actually belong to him.

She said his former partner, Kathleen Varley, had taken in the dog from a neighbour against his wishes. Bobby had already been in poor condition. When the couple split up, she failed to keep her promise to return for the dog.

Ms Beswick added: “He accepts now that despite not owning him, he was responsible for his care and that is why, on the day of the trial, he changed his plea.

“He is adamant both dogs always had food and water left for them in the kitchen.

“We are not talking about years and years of mistreatment. It was one month when one had an ear infection and one a flea infection.”

However, jailing Varley, 47, for ten weeks, magistrates told him his offences were so serious they had no choice but to lock him up and to bar him from keeping animals for ten years.

Varley was also ordered to pay £750 towards prosecution costs.