A DEBT-ridden dog owner left her pet to suffer in pain because she could not cope with spiralling vet bills.

Deborah O'Connell, 31, left her dog Doris - a white female English bull terrier - to suffer for months with a severe skin condition because she could not afford vet's fees.

She owed £4,000 to Calder Veterinary Group, and still has £1,126 of that to pay off.

Miss O'Connell appeared at Huddersfield Magistrates' Court yesterday (May 15) and pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal by failing to provide it with proper veterinary care between July 2 and August 2 last year.

Her offence was discovered when RSPCA Inspector Nicky Foster visited her home on Newsome Avenue, Newsome on August 2.

Insp Foster saw Doris locked in a small cage in the kitchen, suffering from severe mange all over her body. It had caused her fur to fall out and her skin to become red and inflamed. Doris also had bleeding open sores on her body.

Insp Foster returned later with a colleague and took the dog away to Donaldson and Partners vet practice where it was examined by vet Abigail Jackson.

She said Doris's skin was severely infected and was being attacked by burrowing mites.

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

Prosecuting for the RSPCA, Andrew Davidson, said: "She came to the conclusion that Doris would have suffered pain and distress for months."

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

In mitigation, Miss O'Connell's solicitor Bob Carr said Miss O'Connell did care about her pets but had not sought treatment for Doris because she was already in debt over vet's bills.

He said she had sold Doris before she became ill, but the dog had been returned because it developed scabs on its body.

He said Miss O'Connell rang Charles Cook vet practice at Aspley and told them what had happened and was informed it could be due to stress.

But the rash worsened and she failed to seek further help for the animal. She even arranged for a friend to take Doris to be put to sleep, but the friend later refused.

Mr Carr said: "She was in so much debt to the vet in respect of other matters she was fearful to take it to the vet.

"She must accept responsibility but it is not a case where a woman deliberately ill treats her dog."

He added that she still has her two other English bull terriers and they are in good health.

Magistrates adjourned the case until June 12 so that a full pre-sentence report could be prepared.