A woman could be sent to jail after starving her dogs so severely that one began to eat the other.

RSPCA inspectors have described the rare case of canine cannibalism as the worst they have come across in Cleveland.

When they visited the home of Marie Connelly they found the emaciated border terrier had gnawed the hind leg off a dead bull mastiff.

The dogs were being kept in a room adjoining the kitchen of the 35-year-old's home in Pallister Avenue, Middlesbrough.

Connelly admitted two charges of cruelty between October 14 and November 13 last year at Teesside Magistrates' Court yesterday.

RSPCA Inspector Garry Palmer visited the house on November 13 last year.

"He smelt a disgusting odour which got stronger and stronger," said John Ellwood, prosecuting. "He looked through the window and saw the most distressing sight. There was a dead bull mastiff lying in filth while the border terrier was eating it."

Connelly returned home while Mr Palmer was there and was cautioned.

She told him she last saw the dogs the day before and fed them because they were barking.

But a post mortem on the tan-coloured bull mastiff revealed it had died of starvation at least 72 hours earlier.

The black and tan border terrier just over six kg in weight but recovered after it was taken into RSPCA care.

Connelly lived in the house with the dead dog and the hungry terrier and when the RSPCA called they found a little boy with a broken arm, the court heard.

District Judge James Prowse told Connelly she could face jail for her cruelty but adjourned the case for the preparation of pre-sentence reports until June 16.

After the hearing Garry Palmer said: "This case has turned our stomachs.

"If this is what we call animal welfare then no wonder the North-East is at the top of the table when it comes to animal cruelty.

"This is the worst I have seen in Cleveland. People have got a right and responsibility to look after their pets and this woman has failed."