#SENTENCED | A man who neglected two dogs so badly that one of them starved to death has been sentenced. 

Corey Burgham began looking after the dogs for a friend early in 2024. 

On 27 November police were called to a property in Willington, after one of the dogs, a Pocket Bully, died. A second dog, a Staffy cross, was found to be severely malnourished. It was taken to a vet and has since been rehomed. 

Burgham was arrested and in interview told officers that he would feed the dogs every two to three weeks. 

The 20-year-old, of Arthur Close, Willington, Derbyshire, was subsequently charged with failing to prevent the causing of unnecessary suffering to an animal. 

He admitted the offences and appeared at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court on 5 June when he was given a community order with 300 hours unpaid work and a rehabilitation activity requirement. 

He was also banned from having custody of a dog for ten years and must pay £85 costs and a £114 surcharge. 

PC Benjamin Harvey, who led the investigation, said: “These two dogs looked to Burgham to provide them with food and safe accommodation. 

“Instead, he let them down, failing to feed them adequately, leaving them locked in a house for hours on end and not being responsible for their welfare.

“Whatever the reasons for this, his actions led to the death of one of the dogs, who was severely emancipated. Thankfully the other dog has recovered after being taken to the vets and has now gone on to a new home. 

“Burgham admitted not looking after these dogs properly and I am pleased that he will not be allowed to have another one for some years to come. 

“I hope this tragic incident reminds dog owners of the responsibility they have towards their pets and the very real consequences of not caring for them properly.”