A WOMAN whose pet dog chewed its own tail off has been banned from keeping animals for ten years.

Nicola Harris, of Rydal Road, Darlington, appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court yesterday, where she admitted a charge of permitting unnecessary suffering to her dog.

The court heard that RSPCA officers found that Gypsy, a Staffordshire bull terrier bitch, was underweight and had started to eat her own tail.

The vet who examined the dog reported that she had chewed off between half and two-thirds of her tail.

She had uncovered bone and was bleeding quite heavily.

A mother-of-three, Harris was disqualified from keeping any animal for ten years and fined £50.

After the case, Kevin Campbell, prosecuting, said: "I think the dog must have been in a lot of pain and to that extent it's a nasty case.

"I think the ten years disqualification reflects the court's abhorrence at this type of cruelty."

Gypsy and another Staffordshire bull terrier in Harris's care, called Talulah, were signed over to the RSPCA.

They are being cared for at the RSPCA's animal centre in Great Ayton.

Anyone interested in giving the dogs a home can contact the centre on (01642) 724016