A CHRISTCHURCH woman has been handed a suspended prison sentence and banned from keeping animals for 10 years after admitting animal cruelty to a chihuahua cross named Poppy.

Coral Piir, of Watermill, initially pleaded not guilty to two charges relating to the mistreatment of the dog under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, but changed her plea to guilty when she appeared at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (January 8).

The 25-year-old admitted a charge of “failing to exercise reasonable care and supervision” of Poppy, leading to “repetitive and multiple injuries” between July 10 and August 9, 2023.

She also admitted a charge of “failing to provide adequate professional veterinary care and attention for multiple injuries” between the same dates.

The charges came after an investigation by animal charity, the RSPCA.

Piir was handed a 26-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, as well as being banned from keeping animals for 10 years and ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work. She was also ordered to pay costs of £3,429.82.

READ MORE: Click here for more crime news from your Purbeck Gazette