A NORTH-East couple have been banned from keeping animals for life after pleading guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to two dogs by starvation.

Ann Marie Mason, 25, and Malcolm Kevin Stagg, 27, both of Coronation Avenue, Tow Law, County Durham, appeared at Bishop Auckland Magistrates' Court yesterday.

The two lurcher-type dogs were found by the RSPCA, living outside in faeces-covered pens. There was no food or water and they were so emaciated that their bones were protruding and their chests sunken.

Despite being hospitalised for weeks, nothing could be done to save one of them, a brindle-coloured female called Lady. The other, a tan-coloured female called Katy, is now fully recovered and has been rehomed.

In mitigation, the court heard that the couple had not deliberately set out to let them suffer.

After the case, RSPCA inspector Sue Craig said: "What happened to these dogs is extremely sad. We did everything we could to try and save Lady, but her body just couldn't cope with being fed.

"These animals suffered for two weeks. All Ms Mason and Mr Stagg needed to do was feed them and take them to the vet's - just the most basic of things. I'm very pleased that magistrates took this case so seriously."

They were both given a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months in recognition of their co-operation and previous good character.

They were also ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work and made to pay £300 costs.