A COUPLE'S addiction to heroin caused them to neglect their pet dogs, a court heard yesterday.

David Frederick Isles and Leanne Thompson were supporting a £120-a-day drugs habit when the RSPCA was called to their home in January.

The couple, who had the dogs when they lived together in Aviemore Court, Darlington, had already pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a female blue merle collie-cross dog called Millie and a female black and tan collie-cross called Holly.

Bishop Auckland magistrates banned them from keeping any animal for five years and gave them each a 12- month conditional discharge. They were both also told to pay £50 towards court costs.

Kevin Campbell, on behalf of the RSPCA, said that both dogs were extremely emaciated when they were taken from the home.

One of the dogs weighed only 8.7 kilograms, instead of its estimated correct weight of 14kg. The second dog weighed 11.4kg when it should have weighed 18kg to 20kg.

A third dog belonging to the couple was also taken from the home but was reasonably healthy, a court heard.

Stephen Andrews, for Isles and Thompson, said the dogs were neglected because of the couple's drug problems.

He said: "They had no money and what money they had they spent on their three children, as opposed to the dogs.''

He said that at the time Isles, who now lives in The Spenny, Spennymoor, had been taking £20 of heroin a day, while Thompson, who lives in Pensbury Street, Darlington, was consuming about £100 worth a day of the drug.

Mr Andrews said that Isles had since "cleaned up his act", moving away from Darlington and returning to his home town of Spennymoor.

He said Isles no longer used heroin and was looking into further education or employment opportunities.

He said Thompson had reduced her use of heroin dramatically and was now receiving prescriptions from the Elmfield Centre, Darlington.

Both accepted responsibility for the condition of the dogs, which had been rehomed.

After the hearing, RSPCA Inspector Garry Palmer said: "Obviously we are aware of the drug addiction, but why should the animals have to suffer?