A BURNLEY man has avoided jail after he let one of his dogs starve to death.

Damien Jon Stevenson was hauled before the courts by the RSPCA over his treatment of Kido, a black and white Jack Russell, and Bella, a female American bulldog.

An investigation was launched by the charity after concerns about the care of the two dogs at a house in Randall Street.

Pictures taken by inspectors show Kido lying dead on a dirty wooden floor beside a knocked-over plant, filthy cushion, and a mop bucket lying on its side.

Another shows starving American bulldog Bella, her ribs clearly visible.

It was Stevenson’s treatment of the pair that led to Kido’s death, town magistrates heard.

The 37-year-old, now of Browhead Road, Burnley, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to Kido by failing to provide a ‘nutritional and wholesome diet’, including fresh drinking water on dates before February 17, 2013.

He also pleaded guilty to a similar charge involving Bella over the same time period.

He was given a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months after what magistrates described as the ‘complete and total neglect of the dogs’, leading to the death of one of them.

The defendant was also placed under probation service supervision for 12 months and ordered to pay £300 court costs with an £80 victim surcharge.

Magistrates also banned him from keeping any animals for a period of 10 years.

The order also deprives Stevenson of the ownership of Bella and any of her puppies.