A COUPLE whose two dogs were neglected to the point of near-death have been warned they could go to prison.

Darlington Magistrates’ Court heard today (Wednesday, April 17) that Victoria and David Sams’ dogs – a Rottweiler called Kizzy and a collie cross called Ebby - were in such poor health they had to be put down by the RSPCA.

Kizzy had a piece of bone wedged in her mouth which prevented her from eating and caused a tetanus infection, while Ebby was so emaciated and riddled with arthritis she could barely stand.

RSPCA officers visited the Sams’ house in Dorlonco Villas, Meadowfield, County Durham, in December and took ownership of the dogs which had been living in an outdoor kennel and pen, with no bedding and surrounded by faeces.

A veterinary examination rated both dogs’ body condition at level one; on a scale of one to nine with one being the worst.

Both Mr and Mrs Sams, aged 38 and 35 respectively, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and to not carrying out their duty of responsibility to an animal.

Kevin Campbell, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said that when inspectors arrived at the couple’s home they found Kizzy in a “collapsed and almost rigid state”.

He added: “The dog was struggling to breathe; it would die without immediate vet’s attention.”

Mr Campbell said that officers returned to collect Ebby, a 16-year-old collie cross, who was later found to be suffering from an organ ailment known as cushing’s disease.

Mr Campbell said: “She (Ebby) would have been in severe pain and had muscle wastage and arthritis.

“She should have been on pain relief long before the vet saw her.”

He added: “The dog would have died within a few days.”

A tearful Mrs Sams said she just thought that Ebby was old and they had not noticed the piece of bone wedged in Kizzy’s mouth.

Mr Sams said that both dogs had been eating well and that when they tried to put bedding in the kennel it would just get shredded.

He added that he always cleaned out the dogs’ living area, but had been in London for several days before the inspectors visited so had not been able to do it that week.

Presiding magistrate Patricia Bacon warned the pair that the seriousness of the case could merit a custodial sentence and advised them to seek legal representation before they are back in court on May 14 for sentencing.