A COUPLE have been banned from keeping dogs for three years after pleading guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to their pet.

Angela and Mark Anthony Walker, from Ridgeway, Darlington, were also ordered to pay £1,436.80 costs at Bishop Auckland Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Kevin Campbell, on behalf of the RSPCA, said that the pair had left their nine-year-old dog, Pip, to waste away after failing to look after it properly.

He said that they had neglected the dog because it suffered from diabetes and they had decided to give up on it.

Mr Campbell said a visit by RSPCA inspectors found the dog lying on the floor weak and listless and underweight but the couple said that they were aware of the dog's illness and were treating it.

After another visit from the RSPCA inspectors, the dog was found lying on the floor listless "as though it was dead". There was no insulin, food or water for the dog.

James Luke, for the Walkers, said that the couple had been following the guidelines set by a local veterinary surgeon.

He said that the dog had belonged to Mr Walker's father and they had taken it in after his father had died.

Later when the dog was diagnosed with diabetes they chose to treat it rather than put it down.

Mr Luke said: "They did the honourable thing and decided to treat the dog.

"They were simply guided by the experts and they did the best they could.''

Afterwards, Inspector Garry Palmer from the RSPCA, said that the couple had given up on the dog.

He said: "When people take on animals they should realise that they are taking them on for the rest of that animal's life, regardless of whether the animal is ill or not."