A MAN from Twyford has received a suspended prison sentence after being found guilty of two animal welfare offences.

Paul Freudenberg, 52, was sentenced at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Friday, January 26, after being found guilty of neglecting two guinea pigs.

RSPCA officers were called after Freudenberg took the two severely underweight animals, Sean and Jasper, to a vet in May 2017 asking them to save the guinea pigs’ lives.

Sadly the animals both died.

Following a trial in November, Freudenberg was found guilty of failing to ensure that Jasper and Sean were given an adequate and appropriate diet between April 29 and May 13, 2017, and failing to clean and check for signs of injuries in relation to Sean.

He was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for two years, and disqualified from keeping animals for five years. He was also ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid community work and pay £750 in costs.

RSPCA chief inspector Kerry Gabriel said: “This is a sad case of neglect which saw two animals suffer significantly before their deaths. The vets rang us because they were thin and dying after they hadn’t been fed enough.

“Owning and caring for a guinea pig can be very rewarding, but it is also a big responsibility and a long-term commitment in terms of care and finances. If you own or are responsible for any animal you are required by law to care for them properly.

“We urge anyone thinking of taking on guinea pigs that they do thorough research about how they need to look after them first and ensure they are able to meet all their welfare needs throughout their lives.”