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🚨 BRADFORD MAN KEPT GERMAN SHEPHERD IN BARREN CAGE UNTIL HE HAD TO BE PUT DOWN A Bradford man has been banned from keeping animals for six years after a German Shepherd described as underweight, in pain and confined to a cramped outdoor cage had to be euthanised. Mohammed Khan, of Duckworth Terrace, Bradford, was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, after admitting an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 following an investigation by the RSPCA. Magistrates told Khan directly that his neglect had led to the death of his three-year-old dog, Astra. “This is a serious matter and because of your lack of care the dog had to be put down,” the court said during sentencing. “You are responsible for the death of this dog. “We feel that this was very serious. You have not shown remorse and have disregarded professional advice.” The court also ordered Khan to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and pay £100 in costs alongside a £154 victim surcharge. Concerns were first raised with the RSPCA on March 22 last year after reports of an underweight German Shepherd being kept in a cage in a backyard at the property. An RSPCA inspector who attended described finding Astra inside a metal cage measuring around 120cm long and 100cm high and wide, despite the dog himself standing around 82cm tall at the head. “There was a covering over the roof of the cage and all the sides were exposed,” the inspector said in written evidence. “There was some carpet on the bottom which had lifted at the corner exposing the barred base, but there was nothing else inside.” The court heard Khan had already been warned by police and later issued with a formal written notice by the RSPCA instructing him to improve Astra’s living conditions, provide water and proper shelter, and allow him space to move freely or access to a kennel and run. Despite that, a follow-up visit by RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Aleesha Haddlesey found Astra still confined in the cage during direct sunlight, heavily panting and without water. “Khan led me to Astra who was confined back in the cage in direct sunlight,” she said. “No improvement had been made to the yard. “He was panting heavily and had no water available.” Police seized Astra after consulting a vet who warned the dog was suffering, or likely to suffer further, if conditions did not change. A veterinary examination later found Astra severely underweight with a body condition score of just 3 out of 9. Vets also discovered he was suffering from painful spinal disease and hip dysplasia. Radiographs revealed Astra had spondylosis, a degenerative condition affecting the spine and commonly seen in large breeds. The examining vet said the condition could cause stiffness, pain and lameness, adding that Astra reacted aggressively when his back was touched due to the pain he was in. The vet also identified hip dysplasia and reduced muscle mass, concluding the dog had likely been suffering for weeks. Given the extent of his condition, euthanasia was ultimately deemed the kindest option. Another dog at the property was rehomed by Khan during the investigation. In mitigation, the court heard Khan was said to be “well meaning” but had provided incompetent care during what was described as a “short-lived period of poor judgement.”