A BURY man has been banned for life from keeping animals after a court heard his dog was half her expected weight when she died.

Andrew James Miller, aged 26, of Berwick Close, was living at the time with his wife, Sharon, 25, at a house in Rosedale Court, Denton. Tameside magistrates heard how Jody, a three-year-old cross breed dog was found in the back garden of the property in March having been reported as a stray.

She was rushed by animal ambulance to a vet, but died soon afterwards weighing just 6.4kg, less than half the weight of a healthy similar dog.

The vet estimated the dog, who had her ribs and pelvis clearly visible, had been suffering for up to eight weeks.

Magistrates heard that inquiries later revealed Jody was not a stray but belonged to the Millers. The couple, who have since separated, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the dog.

Both were banned from keeping any animals for life, sentenced to undertake 180 hours community punishment each and were also ordered to pay £183.50 each towards the vet's fees and costs.

The Millers told the court that they had realised something was wrong with Jody but could not afford to take her to the vet. After the hearing RSPCA inspector Marie Griffiths, who investigated the case, said: "Anyone who is finding it difficult to cope with their pet should seek advice and not let a situation get to a point like this, when an animal is clearly suffering.

"The magistrates have shown the seriousness of the situation by banning this couple for life from keeping any animals."