by Sam Smith
A police sergeant who left two dogs to die in his car on one of the hottest days of the year has been spared a jail sentence. Ian Craven, 50, left the dogs in his vehicle for over four hours before remembering about them. The dogs, a four-year-old Malinois and a six-month-old Alsatian puppy, were found severely dehydrated and in shock, and later had to be put down. Craven, from Staines, West London, was ordered to pay over £30,000 in court fees and was banned from keeping animals for three years. He has also lost his job, and may have to leave his home as his wife is a police dog handler.
In court it emerged that a one year-old spaniel under Craven's care had died in near identical circumstances in 2004. An internal inquiry was launched but Craven avoided prosecution and kept his job.
Craven was said to be distraught after the accident, and was sectioned under the Mental Health Act for three weeks after trying to slit his wrists. A judge told craven the mental anguish he suffered and the loss of his job was "punishment enough."
We talked to George Oliver, the owner of Whitstable pet shop Animal Antics, about his opinions on the story, and the proper ways to look after your dog.
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