The owner of a Bradford animal sanctuary has been banned for life from keeping animals.

Alan Littlewood, 64, owner of Buckwood Animal Sanctuary at Buck Mill Lane, Thackley, was sentenced yesterday at Bradford Magistrates’ Court after being convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to a border collie by failing to obtain veterinary treatment.

Littlewood, who keeps 17 dogs at the sanctuary, was also found guilty of failing to take reasonable steps to ensure the needs of dogs at the sanctuary were met by failing to provide veterinary treatment or medication when required.

When the sanctuary was visited by Bradford Council’s dog warden Terry Singh in February last year, three dogs living in the house were found to have ear infections which were being treated, but another dog, Quentin, was not being treated.

A 14-year-old Border Collie called Barney was also found to have painful mouth and ear infections.

Council prosecutor Richard Winter told the court yesterday: “It is not a business, it is a charitable sanctuary – but nevertheless the animals need to be cared for to a particular standard.

“Here we have two convictions relating to dogs who have not received the appropriate veterinary care. Seventeen dogs remain at the sanctuary and that is a handful for one person to handle.”

In mitigation for Littlewood, Nigel Hamilton said: “Mr Littlewood is a 64-year-old man of good character whose health is not the best. He does love animals and he has dedicated his life to the sanctuary. Disqualifying him from keeping dogs would be a bigger punishment than prison.”

Sentencing Littlewood to a conditional discharge and banning him for life from keeping animals, bench chairman Valerie Parnham said: “While you in no doubt care very much for your animals it would seem recently they have become too much for you to care for and this has been compounded by your health.”

Littlewood was also ordered to pay £700 costs and told he could apply for the disqualification to be lifted after 12 months.

Mr Hamilton told the court his client intended to appeal against the lifetime ban.

Speaking after the hearing Bradford Council’s assistant director of environmental health John Major said: “We are pleased with the verdict regarding the Buckwood Animal Sanctuary.

“We hope this sends out a message that it is unacceptable to be cruel to dogs and cause them unnecessary suffering.”