A MOTHER and son have been banned from keeping animals for five years after they were found guilty of causing their family dog unnecessary suffering.

Anne Nicol Lythe, 41, and her son Gary, 19, from West Auckland Road, Darlington, had pleaded not guilty at Bishop Auckland Magistrates Court, yesterday.

The family pet, Lucky, was taken from their home by RSPCA officers in December last year after the 14-year-old animal was found to be desperately underweight and infested with fleas.

Kevin Cambell, prosecuting for the RSPCA, told the court the animal was less than half its expected weight.

He said: "They failed to obtain veterinary intervention at any time, causing the animal unnecessary suffering."

RSPCA inspectors Gary Palmer and Laura Jane Glover, told the court they had taken Lucky to the vets, where it was treated for the flea infestation.

Micaela Wright, from Stanhope Park Vets, Stanhope Road, Darlington, told the court blood tests revealed that the pet also suffered small intestine bacterial overgrowth, which could have contributed to its weight loss.

She said: "He should have been treated a long time before he got as thin as this."

Both Mrs Lythe and her son testified that Lucky was fed every day and, though they realised he was losing weight, they put it down to old age. They were treating the flea infestation with shampoo and powder and felt the dog was improving when the RSPCA took him away.

Gary Lythe said: "I love him like mad and miss him very much. He is one of the family."

Both said they could not afford to take Lucky to the vets.

Magistrates ruled that Lucky should be transferred to the care of the RSPCA and the defendants were told to pay £250 each towards costs.