A cruel dog owner has been spared jailed despite leaving his pets in a pen covered in diarrhoea and swimming in urine.

RSPCA officers were left horrified to find the two terriers and two Lurchers, owned by Kenneth Kieron Wade, living in “disgusting” conditions at his home in Houghton-le-Spring .

South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard officers rescued the four dogs after obtaining a warrant to search his home on Coalbank Road on April 4 this year.

One of the dogs, a terrier called Musto, was found with severe injuries to his face and jaw, similar to those sustained when used for hunting.

Dogs owned by Kenneth Kieron Wade were found living in disgusting conditions
Dogs owned by Kenneth Kieron Wade were found living in disgusting conditions (Image: RSPCA)
RSPCA chief inspector Mark Gent said: “These dogs were living in absolute filth. Three of them were confined to a pen which was covered in diarrhoea, some of which had gone mouldy, and was swimming in urine.

“It smelled horrendous. One of these was Musto whose injuries were terrible. Most of his lower jaw was missing and he was struggling to eat as a result.

“He has had to have an operation but happily has since put on weight and is showing no signs of pain.

“The fourth dog had a kennel in the yard where there was evidence he was tethered some of the time. Again, there was faeces everywhere and the dog had recently been sick. It was disgusting.”

Dogs owned by Kenneth Kieron Wade were found living in disgusting conditions
Dogs owned by Kenneth Kieron Wade were found living in disgusting conditions (Image: RSPCA)
At an earlier hearing, Wade admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to Musto by failing to provide adequate veterinary care to treat his injuries.

He also pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to Musto by failing to protect him from pain, suffering, injury and disease and failing to meet the needs of two Lurcher type dogs and two terrier type dogs – including Musto – by failing to provide them with a suitable environment.

Wade, 22, was disqualified from keeping animals for 10 years and sentenced to 12 weeks behind bars, suspended for 12 months.

He was also ordered to do 15 days rehabilitation activity, 150 hours of unpaid work and pay costs and a victim surcharge totaling £415.

Mr Gent said: “These dogs have suffered a great deal and I have no doubt have also caused a great deal of suffering to other, wild, animals in the charge of Wade. He has used and abused these dogs.”

The two terriers were signed over to the RSPCA and have been happily rehomed. The two Lurchers are now in the care of the RSPCA.