A TEENAGER who left two dogs to starve at his home in Forest Gate has been banned from owning animals for five years.

Abdul Muhin, 19, failed to provide food, water and shelter for the pets, Stratford magistrates heard.

RSPCA inspectors discovered the dogs — one of which was aged just 12 weeks — during a visit to his property in Clinton Road.

A five-month-old Staffordshire bull terrier cross called Cookie was found in the back garden.

The 12-week-old puppy, named Honey, was discovered hanging in the gap between the brick wall and corrugated iron roof of an outhouse. She is believed to have climbed up the inside wall and was severely dehydrated.

Muhin claimed that Cookie was a stray and Honey was someone else’s dog and therefore not his responsibility.

He denied four charges of causing unnecessary suffering and two of not meeting the dogs’ needs, but was convicted after a trial.

In addition to the animal ban, magistrates ordered him to do 300 hours’ community service and pay �250 court costs.

RSPCA Chief Inspector Dawn Avery said: “These dogs endured terrible suffering as a result of Mr Muhin not looking after them properly or taking responsibility for them. We are glad that the court recognised the seriousness of this offence in the sentence that was handed down.”