A WOMAN was banned from keeping animals for five years after leaving two dogs without food and water.

A Doberman taken from the garden of Alison Louise Kirby was so emaciated it could barely stand and was half its natural body weight.

A husky-type dog, also seized from the property, was a third under its natural body weight.

Kirby, from Wimbledon Close, Darlington, admitted that the husky belonged to her but said she had been given the Doberman six days earlier by her brother-in-law.

She said he had told her the dog was not getting on with other animals in the house and had stopped eating.

Kevin Campbell from the RSPCA said when the dogs were found in January there was no food, water or adequate shelter. When they were taken to a vets they drank three litres of water between them.

Kirby said she had always cared for her dog and given it enough food but had taken on too much when she took responsibility for the Doberman.

As well as being banned for five years from keeping animals Kirby was also ordered to pay a proportion of the costs.

Afterwards, Inspector Garry Palmer from the RSPCA said: "In this day and age dogs should not be kept in these conditions and this has been proved by the way they have been nursed back to health in their new homes.''