Greyhound champ Bubbly Totti 'nearly starved'
A Plymouth couple has been given a life ban from keeping animals after two greyhounds in their care almost died from starvation.
Plymouth magistrates heard that Bubbly Totti, who won the Greyhound St Leger race in 2008, was infested with fleas.
Andrew Louden, 48, and wife Maria, 49, admitted failing to protect two greyhounds from pain and suffering and failing to adequately feed them.
They were also jailed for eight weeks suspended for 12 months.
Magistrates told the couple that they would have been jailed but for their poor health.
RSPCA prosecutor John Wyatt said the dogs, Bubbly Totti and Pebbles, were "about to die" from starvation.
Bubbly Totti, who was found with terrible sores, once changed hands for £50,000, he told the court.
Julian Jefferson, defending, said the couple had not meant to harm the dogs but were "unable to cope".
The dogs have since been rehomed.