A COUPLE who neglected their dog so badly she could only shuffle will be able to own another pet in just three years' time.

Tragically Shadow had been ignored by her so-called "animal lover" owners and was left to waste away.

The 13-year-old lurcher was half-bald from a skin condition and had claws so long she could hardly walk.

Vets who examined Shadow just before she died said she was so emaciated she resembled a walking skeleton.

The RSPCA said Desmond and Helen Stokes, 48 and 49, caused unnecessary suffering to Shadow and district judge Paul Farmer found the case proved. The owners, of Slinn Road, Somerford, Christchurch, had denied the charges.

On Wednesday the couple were both sentenced to an 80-hour community punishment order and banned from keeping animals for three years. Malcolm Baker, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, had asked for a lifetime ban to be imposed.

David Hurley, mitigating, said the couple had been married for 28 years and had looked after a range of animals including six other dogs.

"Apart from Shadow there has never been a complaint against them in respect of their care for any other animal."

He added: "What happened to Shadow was a gross error of judgement. What they did was to rely on their own experience and care for Shadow when really she needed veterinary care.

"They are extremely remorseful that the dog died. They really are animal lovers."

Mr Hurley said that a lifetime ban would be "excessive".

In passing sentence Mr Farmer said: "What you did was not in a sense to deprive or ill-treat the dog, what you did in my view was you failed at a time when Shadow needed you - failed to give Shadow the appropriate treatment and take her to the veterinary surgery."

He added: "It was a gross error of judgement."

Mr Farmer said that the ban would give the couple "time to reflect".

Mr Stokes was also ordered to pay £300 and Mrs Stokes £250 out of the £5,500 costs.

After the case RSPCA Inspector John Norman said: "We asked for disqualification which holds a lifetime ban, for the only reason that is what they deserved.

"These people failed to provide the necessary care and treatment. This is a warning to people in the area that the RSPCA will act."

"They failed to care for the animal in its hour of need.

"This was premeditated. Every time they walked past they saw that dog - they were causing suffering every single day."

After the case, Mr Stokes told the Echo the court ruling had vindicated himself and his wife - and said they would consider keeping a dog again.

"Apart from the fact we did not take her to a vet, we have done absolutely nothing wrong," he said.