A woman from Cheshire who wrapped her dead dog's body in a rug and left it in her back garden has been disqualified from owning animals for life after a prosecution by the RSPCA.

Jennifer Bentley of Loachbrook Farm Way, Congleton, pleaded guilty to one offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 of failing to address the weight loss and poor body condition of the cane corso called Snoop.

She was sentenced at South Cheshire Magistrates' Court in Crewe on October 13 where as well as the ban, she received a 20-week prison sentence, which was suspended for 18 months.

The magistrates told her that it was a "very serious case involving the death of an animal".

The court heard how Snoop's body was found at Bentley's former home in Aspen Close in Congleton on January 16 last year when RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Fay Bowers attended to investigate concerns that animals had been left at the property and reports that there might be a dead dog in the garden.

Bentley's former partner arrived and gave permission for the officer to check on a cat and a dog who were inside the house, while the defendant gave permission for the conditions in the garden to be examined.

The animal rescue officer said in a statement presented to the court that she called the defendant on the phone as there was a strong smell coming from the rug.

"There was an overpowering smell of decay and I saw a brindle coloured dog in a very thin body condition with no muscle tone over the pelvis, spine or back legs and there were maggots around his head," said the officer, who was told by Bentley during the phone call that "she had been told to put the dog in the garden by a cremation company".

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Cheshire Police were contacted and Snoop's body was seized and taken to RSPCA Greater Manchester Animal Hospital.

When interviewed Bentley said Snoop had been suffering from diarrhoea for several months, but she had not sought out veterinary treatment.

A vet said the dog had lost weight after a prolonged period of ill health.

"The prolonged diarrhoea and weight loss indicated a chronic medical condition that was not addressed," concluded the vet. "The dog was eating items such as bleach, plastic and shoes which may have reflected his hunger or frustration."

While a definitive cause of death could not be established the vet said the dog would have suffered for at least a month from gastrointestinal discomfort, malnutrition, psychological distress and from ingesting harmful objects.

In mitigation, the defendant said that she suffered from mental health problems.

She was also ordered to pay £400 court costs.