MAGISTRATES banned a woman from keeping animals for three years yesterday after an untreated injury meant her dog's eye had to be removed.

Sybil Smith, 46, of Adamson Street, Shildon, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to causing unnecessary suffering to her Japanese Chin dog, which had been bitten by a stray and suffered an infection.

Prosecution solicitor Kevin Campbell told Bishop Auckland Magistrates' Court that Smith had told the RSPCA inspector that she had taken the dog to a vet, but checks revealed this to be untrue.

Mr Bruce Cunningham, defending, said that Smith had tried to treat the animal with left-over antibiotics which had been prescribed for a friend's dogs. The drugs appeared to work for a couple of days, but by the time the inspector visited, an infection had set in.

"Mrs Smith was aware the dog needed treatment, but was frightened she would have to commit herself to expenditure she just could not afford," said Mr Cunningham.

"This lady never thought for one moment she was going to cause suffering and never wanted to. She had a close affection with the dog.

"She has been extremely distressed, not simply for her predicament, but the suffering that was caused through her neglect."

The dog, which has since been found a new home, was taken to a vet and treated, at the cost of more than £300.

Smith was placed on probation for a year and disqualified from keeping animals for three years .