AS THE famous slogan goes, dogs aren’t just for Christmas they are for life.

This is one sentiment Burnley’s Sheridan Greer, 23, forgot when she left two Staffordshire bull terriers to starve – and then threw them out with the rubbish.

RSPCA investigators were called in by social services when the bodies of the two dogs were left dumped in the rear yard of the Burnley Wood property in January.

Greer told the RSPCA, hat she had been unable to look after the two dogs, aged just 12 months and 18 months respectively, after her benefits were cut and her boyfriend moved out.

But the animal charity said it was dismayed that instead of alerting the organisation, she left the dogs, and two cats, to battle for their own survival.

Greer, who admitted causing unnecessary suffering to Patch and Duke, and failing to provide a suitable environment for the cats, was given an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. She was also ordered to pay £200 court costs.

As a society we need to make sure animals do not suffer in this way.

So come on East Lancashire look out for animals near you and report any suffering you spot.