A WOMAN has been banned from keeping dogs for a year after admitting causing unnecessary suffering to her two pets.

Farrah Bethany Baylis pleaded guilty to abandoning Harvey, a tan rottweiler, and Prince, a black and tan German shepherd, when she appeared at Northallerton Magistrates' Court yesterday.

The 20-year-old also admitted failing to provide Harvey with adequate food.

Baylis was arrested after RSPCA officers were called to her former home in Carnigill Road, Catterick Garrison, in January, by neighbours who were concerned for the dogs' welfare.

Officers broke in and found the dogs had been left in the house without food or water.

A vet concluded that both dogs were underweight and had been caused unnecessary suffering for at least four weeks.

The court heard how the defendant left her husband, Luke Baylis, and the dogs in November 2006, after being subjected to sustained domestic abuse.

However, her husband contacted her in December to say he was travelling to Devon for Christmas and the dogs would need caring for.

Andrew Foreman, defending, said his client had visited her former home and fed the animals every day in her husband's absence, apart from two days prior to the RSPCA officer's visit when Mr Baylis, a soldier, was due back. He said she accepted she had not given the animals sufficient food and water.

He said: "She is heartbroken and the reason she is in such distress is that she has seen the pictures of the dogs today, which has reminded her how much she loves them. The person who should really be before this court is Luke Baylis, but he's got away with it because he's in Germany (with the Army)."

Chairman of the magistrates Mike Thomsett banned Ms Baylis, who now lives in Blackborough, near Ashill, Devon, from keeping dogs for a year.

She was ordered to pay a £100 fine and costs of £185.

RSPCA inspector Garry Palmer said: "If someone takes on an animal they have a duty of care towards it. If they're going through problems, they still have that duty."

The animals have been rehomed