A COUPLE whose dogs were found covered in faeces and living in poor conditions have admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the animals.

Christopher and Teresa Christlow appeared at Bishop Auckland Magistrates’ Court yesterday, jointly charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a spaniel and German shepherd by failing to investigate poor body condition and weight loss between June 23 and August 4, last year.

The couple, from Flambard Drive, in Bishop Auckland, were also jointly charged with failing to provide a suitable environment for the dogs between July 4 and August 4, last year, and failing to provide fresh drinking water, on August 4.

They pleaded guilty to all charges.

Kevin Campbell, prosecuting for the RSPCA, told the court that a police officer had called at the house about unrelated matters, and became suspicious when Mrs Christlow, 37, gave inconsistent versions about why she could not let them into the property.

When he eventually gained entry, the officer said the smell caused him to retch. He discovered vast amounts of cat and dog faeces in the house and many bluebottles.

Two dogs – a spaniel called Alfie, and a German shepherd called Tara – were taken to the vets, and were found to be badly underweight.

Graham Ablett, mitigating, said Mr Christlow, 43, had been working very long hours as a manager for the British School of Motoring, and Mrs Christlow suffered ill health, and had had surgery for an aneurysm and depression.

He also said they had a difficult family background, but added: “They are not making excuses. There has been a massive transformation in the house since these offences.”

Magistrates imposed a 12- month conditional discharge for both defendants and they were disqualified from keeping animals for ten years.

They were also ordered to pay £1,000 towards court costs.