A COUPLE who failed to get treatment for a five-week old puppy which had 'catastrophic injuries' have been banned from owning dogs for three years.

Tan and brindle female bull terrier puppy 'Roxy' could not walk for more than a few seconds without collapsing as a result of her injuries, which included a fractured rib.

And Burnley Magistrates Court heard Natalie Long, 23, and Mark Fisher, 19, failed to get her the treatment she needed because they didn't have enough money.

RSPCA inspector Charlotte Booker said the case was one of the 'most upsetting cases of her career'.

Long and Fisher, both of Edgar Street in Accrington, admitted two charges of causing unnecessary suffering to 'Roxy' by failing to provide proper and necessary veterinary care.

But a charge of causing unnecessary suffering to Roxy by inflicting blunt force trauma, physical violence and torture and another charge of causing unnecessary suffering to a second dog - a tri coloured male cross breed dog called 'Alfie' - by inflicting blunt force trauma, physical violence and torture were withdrawn by prosecutors.

The court heard Roxy, whose injuries also included skin lesions and muzzle abrasions, has since been rehomed and a pitbull-type dog living at the house has been seized by police.

Alfie and a Staffordshire Terrier cross breed called 'Blue' were confiscated by the RSPCA after concerns were raised about the environment they were living in and Long and Fisher now have 21 days to find them a new home.

Miss Booker told the court that the RSPCA had received a call raising concerns about the welfare of dogs being cared for by Long and Fisher.

She went to the flats the following day and the court heard the couple initially wouldn't let her in.

But they eventually agreed to bring out the dogs one by one. Roxy was the first dog out and Miss Booker said she had trouble standing, she was underweight, her ribs, spine and abdomen were 'clearly visible' and her tongue was permanently stuck out.

Roxy is said to have urinated on the carpet and Miss Booker told the court that Long 'grabbed her by the back of the head and pushed her nose to the carpet' twice.

Miss Booker said: "I put a stop to it. That is not the way to train a dog'."

Roxy was taken to Vets for Pets in Bury where veterinary surgeon confirmed that she was suffering.

Before Miss Booker could finish her testimony Fisher entered guilty pleas to the neglect charges, after the prosecution offered no evidence to the torture charges. Long had pleaded guilty to the neglect charges at an earlier hearing.

Defending Fisher, Jasmine Banegett said the rib injury was suffered in a road traffic collision and said her client failed to take Roxy to the vets because of lack of funds.

Defending Long, Ben Leach said his client could not afford to take Roxy to the vets. The couple get £305 every fortnight in benefits. Long is also heavily pregnant.

Long was fined £150, ordered her to pay a £20 victim surcharge and costs of 385.

Fisher was ordered to pay £600 and a victim surcharge of £60. He also has a 10-weeks curfew meaning he must not leave his house between 8pm and 6am.

They are both disqualified from owning, keeping or participating in the keeping of any dog for three years.

Speaking after the case, Miss Booker said: "Roxy had catastrophic injuries when I found her and was clearly in need of veterinary treatment. It may seem a cliche but this really has been one of the most upsetting cases of my career and I am glad she is now in her forever new home."