A woman has been banned from keeping animals for ten years after a dog was left suffering in a "very poor" condition.

The RSPCA launched an investigation after a Cairn terrier female dog was taken to a vet by someone who had been looking after her.

The dog, called Skye, was in a "very poor bodily condition" with her backbone, hips, ribs and shoulders were all clearly prominent. 

Her left eye was completely matted over and her right eye was also matted and closed over with "discharge around the socket".

Skye, who weighed 3.56kg, also had yellow teeth with pus.

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A spokesman for the RSPCA said: "A vet who examined Skye said she had been caused to suffer for an extended period of time and part of her declining state was likely caused by an underlying health condition - however the advanced state of her emaciation, chronic skin and eye conditions also suggested a lack of intervention from the owner to provide help and veterinary care.

"Sadly, Skye was in such a poor condition that vets advised the kindest thing to do was to put her to sleep to prevent her suffering further."

As a result of the investigation, Skye's owner Helen McNamara, 46, of Swanfield Drive, Chichester, was arrested.

She appeared before Brighton Magistrates Court on April 26 where she pleaded guilty to two offences of causing unnecessary suffering to a dog.

The court heard how she had failed to give Skye proper and necessary veterinary care and attention for her dental disease and eye condition, and by failing to investigate and address the causes of her poor bodily condition and weight loss.

The court heard how the defendant was "very remorseful" and had suffered financial difficulties, which is why she had not taken Skye to a vet and had tried to treat her eye and skin condition at home. 

She was given a 14-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months and ordered to carry out six "Rehabilitation Activity Requirement" days.

She has been banned from keeping animals for ten years and was ordered to pay costs of £350 and a victim surcharge of £154.

RSPCA Inspector Andrew Kirby said: “This was an awful case and Skye’s suffering could have been avoided. The RSPCA urges anyone struggling to take care of their animal to ask for help and act on advice, rather than neglecting them and leaving them to suffer.”