THE RSPCA has criticised Ely magistrates decision to return two dogs to their owner, after he admitted abandoning them inside a scorching hot Land Rover for several hours. Colin Eddy – who is currently banned from keeping all other animals because of two

THE RSPCA has criticised Ely magistrates' decision to return two dogs to their owner, after he admitted abandoning them inside a scorching hot Land Rover for several hours.

Colin Eddy - who is currently banned from keeping all other animals because of two previous convictions of causing animal suffering - had already been warned that the dogs must not be left inside a hot vehicle.

But last summer, Eddy went to Cambridge by bus to buy an alarm for his allotment, and the temperature inside his Land Rover was clocked at 112.4 degrees Fahrenheit by an RSPCA inspector who released the animals.

After the court case on Thursday, RSPCA Insp Chris Nice said: "Yet again animals have suffered while in his care. We are disappointed that while already banned from keeping all other animals, he is still able to keep dogs."

"In our view this man remains a significant risk to the welfare of animals. Mr Eddy's disregard for his dog's welfare is wholly unacceptable."

Eddy had been living in the Landrover at the time the RSPCA seized the dogs from the vehicle parked in a pub car park in Ashley. The animal charity wanted the magistrates to confiscate Eddy's dogs, and extend his animal ban to cover all dogs.

But the court was satisfied he could care for the dogs while staying with a friend, and turned down both applications.

Solicitor Michael Judkins said 45-year-old Eddy had "shown an inexcusable lack of foresight" by leaving them in the vehicle. But, he said, Eddy left them plenty of water and was "doing the best he could with limited resources."

He now plans to build them kennels at his friend's home. "He realises the error of his ways and will not let this happen again," added Mr Judkins.

Eddy had admitted abandoning the dogs on June 12 last year, in circumstances likely to cause unnecessary suffering.

Prosecuting for the RSPCA, Sarah Young said the dogs were left in full sun, with no shade whatsoever. The vehicle's front windows were open by two inches, she said, and the animals were panting heavily and showing heat distress. Water was left in a dirty and soiled bowl.

Eddy was given an 18-month conditional discharge and told to pay £1,250 costs to the RSPCA.

# Earlier in the day Eddy was found not guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to both dogs, by failing to provide appropriate veterinary care.