THE owner of a dog, found hours from death and collapsed in its own faeces, has walked free from court.

Paul James Edwards, 36, was cleared of causing unnecessary suffering to the four-year-old greyhound, called Ben, by failing to provide a suitable diet.

The dog was found at the home of his "on-off" partner, Nicola Jane Waller, in Moorland Close, Sunnybrow, near Crook, last November.

Ms Waller was found guilty of the same offence in July. Mr Edwards, who bought the dog for about £40, admitted owning the pet, but denied the charge and stood trial Bishop Auckland Magistrates' Court.

The court heard that, following a row in October, Mr Edwards was thrown out of the house by his partner, who had involved the police, and was under the impression he was subject to a bail condition not to go to the house or contact Ms Waller.

Mr Edwards, who was represented by Rebecca Smith, said that as a result he was unaware of the dog's condition.

Kevin Campbell, prosecuting, said: "He has behaved completely irresponsibly and unreasonably, and that inaction has caused the dog to suffer."

But although accepting that he was jointly responsible for the dog's welfare, Mr Edwards said he trusted Ms Waller to look after Ben in his absence.

Finding him not guilty, chairwoman of the bench, Valerie Ward, said: "In our opinion, it was reasonable for Mr Edwards to leave the dog in Ms Waller's care and assume the dog would be properly cared for."

The dog was handed over to the RSPCA, along with another dog who was found in a reasonable condition on the same day, and has regained full health.