A MAN who has 20 dogs at his home in Darwen was urged by magistrates to reduce the number of pets he keeps.

David Brown, 53, was prosecuted by the RSPCA over the death of German Shepherd Sheeba after he left a serious ear infection untreated for two months.

The court was told an RSPCA inspector found three German Shepherds, one West Highland Terrier, two cross-breed dogs, six Huskies, six Husky puppies, and two Malamute Huskies in the living room and kitchen.

Both rooms had been tiled on the floor and part-way up the wall.

All the dogs were checked and found to be flea-infested, but Chris Wyatt, prosecuting, said Sheba was ‘dull and depressed’, and lying in a corner, not moving, with her right ear swollen and hanging down.

Sheba was signed over to the RSPCA, and was taken to a vets practice in Bury.

Hyndburn Magistrates’ Court heard that the dog had to be put down, as no medical treatments were available to treat the bilateral infection in the right ear, which had caused ulcerated polyps.

Mr Brown and his wife Lynn were able to keep the other dogs, which were described as ‘in reasonable health’. The house and rear yard were decribed as ‘clean but slightly malodourous’.

Mr Brown pleaded guilty to causing unneccessary suffering to the dog between July 28, 2010 and September 21, 2010.

Charges were dropped against Mrs Brown, 47.

Defending, Robin Phoenix, said that Mr Brown thought the ear growths were warts, but as they got bigger, took her to the Lord and Jones vetinary practice, then to Springfield Vets in Darwen, where medication was prescribed.

This wasn’t followed up, and Mr Brown began to self-medicate the dog as a cheaper option, which failed to work.

Mr Phoenix said: “It’s a sobering experience for them and they are remorseful to a tremendous degree. Mr Brown accepts he is in the wrong.”

Magistrate Alan Roberts accepted that the other dogs were being cared for, but said: “What you did, deliberately or not, was wrong.”

Mr Brown was given a 12-month conditional discharge and a fine of £260, and urged to reduce the number of dogs at the house