An unemployed gardener had not taken his animal to the vet for five years because he was scared of the cost of treatment.

Richard Dale, 35, of Broadway, Silver End, was banned from keeping animals for two years after admitting causing unnecessary suffering to his dog. He claimed he could not afford to take Sasha - a black and white border collie - to the vets because he was out of work.

When RSPCA investigators visited Dale's home following a tip-off last September they found the 12-year-old dog infested with fleas.

It had open sores and was suffering from skin and ear infections, and overgrown nails, Witham Magistrates Court heard yesterday.

Magistrates were shown photos of Sasha's condition as evidence.

Dale admitted causing unnecessary suffering by not taking proper care of Sasha. He was banned from keeping animals for two years. He was also given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay £75 towards prosecution costs.

But speaking after yesterday's hearing RSPCA inspector Chris Bacon said the ban was not long enough: "I would have liked to have seen a longer ban because I don't feel he is fit to look after animals."

Kirstie Beecroft, prosecuting, told the court Dale had not taken Sasha to a vet for five years and was scared of the cost of treatment.

She said: "The vet concluded the skin and ear problems had existed for such a long time the dog had clearly been caused unnecessary suffering."

Sasha was taken into RSPCA care and is now recovering and will be rehomed. John Bacon, mitigating, said Dale had not been deliberately cruel.

The court heard Dale tried to treat Sasha himself, but when the problem got worse he could not afford to take her to the vets.

"My client had had a breakdown and financial problems. He just couldn't cope," said Mr Bacon.

"He hoped and prayed the dog would get better, but of course she didn't."

Mr Bacon said Dale accepted he was in no position to keep dogs or any animals.

Mistreated - Sasha

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.