A DOG owner who left her pet to suffer because she could not afford to pay vet bills kept her in a small cage in the kitchen.

Deborah O'Connell, 31, left her white female English bull terrier dog, called Doris to suffer for months with a severe skin condition because she was in financial difficulties.

She had pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal by failing to provide it with proper veterinary care and was sentenced by Huddersfield magistrates yesterday.

She was fined and given a 12-month community order.

Her offence was uncovered when RSPCA inspector Nicky Foster visited her home on Newsome Avenue in Newsome on August 2 last year.

She found Doris locked in a small cage, suffering from severe mange all over her body. It had caused Doris' fur to fall out and her skin was red and inflamed. She also had bleeding open sores on her body.

The dog was removed by inspectors and taken to Donaldson and Partners vet practice. The vet who examined Doris said her skin was severely infected and being attacked by burrowing mites.

She said that the animal would have been caused unnecessary suffering because the condition could have been cured with proper care.

The dog was given antibiotics, painkillers and medicated shampoo and her condition has now cleared up.

At yesterday's hearing, Andrew Davidson, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said: "The dog had suffered pain and distress for some months as a result of being untreated.

"Miss O'Connell was interviewed by the RSPCA and said she was responsible for the care of the dog. She admitted that she failed to have it checked by a vet and said she had considered having the dog put down because she had suffered from financial difficulties in obtaining veterinary care.

"She was prepared to sign the dog over to the RSPCA and that has happened."

Mr Davidson informed magistrates that the RSPCA did not seek to ban O'Connell from owning pets as officers did not have any concerns about the two other dogs in her care.

Mike Sisson-Pell, defending, said that his client was "extremely upset" about her dog's condition.

He said that O'Connell had looked after a number of dogs over the years - and two of them had come from an animal rescue centre.

Mr Sisson-Pell said that one of the dogs still owned by his client had considerable medical treatment, which left her in severe debt.

He said O'Connell had three puppies, including Doris, from one of her dogs.

He added that Doris was given away, but she was returned by her new owner because she developed scabs on her body.

Mr Sisson-Pell said: "She found herself in a position where she couldn't afford to take the dog to the vet. Local surgeons won't treat animals unless they know that insurance is in place.

"She didn't take the animal to the PDSA because she's working, and as she's working, she told me that the PDSA wouldn't have assisted with her dog.

"She asked her friend to take the dog to the PDSA on her behalf, but they let her down. She tried to treat the dog herself, but the condition became worse.

"Many people in her position would have taken the dog in the car, driven a few miles and dumped it - she didn't do that, she tried to treat it herself.

"People abuse animals in a number of different ways, but she hasn't done that. This is a case of omission, not commission. That puts her into a different bracket. The real punishment should be left to those that deliberately go out of their way to cause suffering to an animal.

"While she did what she could, she accepts that the dog did suffer and that she should have gone to the RSPCA."

Magistrates sentenced O'Connell to a 12-month community order, to include 100 hours of unpaid work.

She was also ordered to contribute £250 towards the RSPCA's costs.

Speaking after the hearing, Insp Foster said: "We are delighted with the judge's decision, it is very fair.

"I am just pleased now that we can concentrate on finding Doris a new home. She's a fantastic, friendly dog and deserves to have a lovely home."