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A cruel owner is facing jail after starving her pet dog to death and keeping it in squalor.

The emaciated body of white Staffordshire bull terrier Rocky was discovered by police after reports of a smell coming from Amie Smith’s home.

The starving animal had been locked in the filthy kitchen, without access to food or water, and was surrounded by mounds of rubbish and faeces, the Chronicle reports.

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

A court heard Rocky had become so desperate for food, he’d chewed tins of dog food, which had been left on the floor.

And, when his body was examined by a vet, he was found to be just over half the weight he should of been.

Now Smith, 23, has pleaded guilty to one count of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal between February 5 and March 26 this year.

(Image: RSPCA)

Denise Jackman, prosecuting, said Rocky’s suffering had been 'severe, prolonged and avoidable'.

She said a police officer entered Smith’s home on Merton Road, in Walker, after a worker from Your Homes Newcastle, who had previously executed a warrant to gain entry to the house to access the gas supply, reported “a smell of death”.

Mrs Jackman said: “The officer found a deceased, white Staffordshire bull terrier lying on the kitchen floor among a vast amount of rubbish.

“There were faeces all over the floor. There was an empty water bowl and tins of food with dints in it, as if the dog had attempted to open the tin with his teeth.”

Ms Jackman said an RSPCA inspector was then called to the scene.

(Image: RSPCA)

She said: “The inspector said there was an over-powering smell rotting smell. The kitchen was extremely cluttered and there was faeces on the floor.

"There was a body of a white, male Staffordshire bull terrier. The body was emaciated and had ribs protruding. She noticed the tins of dog meat, which had been chewed.

“On the kitchen workshop she noticed empty tins of dog food. She also noticed the inside the kitchen door frame had been chewed.”

Rocky’s body was examined by vets, who found him to weigh just 11kg, when he should have weighed 18kg.

Mrs Jackman added: “The vet said the unnecessary suffering of starvation would have caused immense stress. The hunger would have caused loss of consciousness before death occurred.”

When interviewed, Smith, who now lives at Walkerdene House, in Wallsend, said she’d asked a friend to look after the dog while she went away to Blackpool.

(Image: RSPCA)

David Parish, mitigating, said Smith suffers from mental health issues and was ashamed of her actions.

He said: “This is a lady with significant difficulties and significant mental health problems. She was the victim of domestic violence, which occurred where the dog was found.

"She was not able to cope and felt she couldn’t return to the property. She is deeply sorry, deeply upset and deeply ashamed at what has happened.”

Magistrates adjourned sentencing until later this month for the preparation of reports.