A pensioner has been electronically tagged after admitting causing unnecessary suffering to a dog which later had to be put down.

Pauline Spoor, 71, was the owner of chocolate brown labrador Dexter who had to be put to sleep after he was found with multiple medical problems including arthritis, lameness and conjunctivitis.

She appeared before Tameside magistrates' on Wednesday (July 13) with son John Robinson who pleaded guilty to the same charge in relation to his own dog, Staffordshire bull terrier Angel.

RSPCA inspectors first saw the dogs through a window at Spoor's house, on Torrington Avenue, Hattersley, in May last year.

Unable to contact the owners, they were forced to return with police to break in and rescue the pets.

Dexter was described as dull and lethargic with ear and eye infections and had difficult standing up.

Angel, who had severely inflamed skin caused by fur loss and mites, was not inside the property but was later spotted nearby with Spoor, bleeding from the head and playing in the road.

Prosecuting for the animal charity, Mark Harper said: "The inspector watched the dog running across the road in front of a bus and missing getting run over by inches.

"Dexter was dull and lethargic. She (Spoor) said she had not been to a vet because he was incontinent and no bus or taxi would take him.

"She stated that she knew he needed putting to sleep but that she had been putting it off."

Dexter, who was put down the next day, was estimated to be around nine years old although Spoor claimed he was 18.

Robinson, 30, of Wardle Brook Walk, Hattersley, signed Angel over to the RSPCA and she was later rehomed.

Angela Fitzpatrick, defending, said Robinson was struggling financially but had tried to treat the Staffie himself.

Magistrates were also told that both defendants owned other dogs, one of which had been rescued from a dog fighting ring.

Miss Fitzpatrick said: "He had taken steps and the steps weren't sufficient but that's not the same as wilfully neglecting an animal, it's trying your best when your best doesn't actually work.

"They have taken on dogs that no one else would probably want because they loved their dogs.

"A ban would be a crippling blow."

Spoor was given a community order with a curfew which means she will be electronically tagged and must remain at home from 9pm-6am for the next 12 weeks.

Robinson, who is unemployed, was handed a 12-month community order with supervision and must carry out 100 hours of unpaid work. He was also banned from keeping animals for a year.

Both must pay £250 each towards costs.