being cruel to his pet terrier.

Magistrates Court heard Devonshire resident Andre Woods' small dog was left caged under a plastic laundry basket in the pouring rain with no food last October 12.

On hearing the dog whimpering and crying, neighbours called Police, prosecutor Sgt. Kenrick James said. Government vet Dr. Neil Burnie examined the dog and found it in a distressed state and covered in faeces.

Woods yesterday pleaded guilty to "inflicting unnecessary suffering on the dog''. But his lawyer Mr. Juan Wolffe argued he had not done it on purpose. He said Woods worked long hours at a local restaurant and had not been staying at his home at the time.

He said Woods tried to get home every morning to feed the dog, but he admitted being a little lax in caring for it, especially bathing it.

"He has great remorse and regret for the offence. Mr. Woods is a lover of animals and has kept rabbits and chickens in the past and cared properly for them.'' He added his client denied putting the laundry basket over the dog and believed it may have been done by some kids in the neighbourhood.

Magistrate the Wor. Cheryl-Ann Mapp, after hearing Woods was no longer the owner of the dog, said, "It's a good thing too.'' "I can't see how a lover of animals can possibly allow a dog to get in that condition. It had obviously been neglected for an extended period of time.'' She fined Woods $500 for the offence and $200 for not holding a valid licence for the dog.