A HYNDBURN man has been fined £300 and banned from keeping animals for 10 years after a court found he had caused unnecessary suffering to his dog.

William Baron, of Blackburn Road, Great Harwood, admitted the charge when he appeared before magistrates at Hyndburn.

Police were called to his home in December after neighbours found his elderly cross collie Sam lying on a concrete floor outside the back yard in sub-zero temperatures with his head and tail shaking.

The neighbour had been troubled by the dog wailing, prosecutor Tulser Goodwin, said.

When it was found on the faeces-covered floor it had no body hair, had scabs and sores, and was unable to move, he said.

"The temperature was minus five, and they could not see any shelter for the dog," he added.

A vet was called along with the RSPCA , and the dog was treated for hypothermia. The vet also found the dog had a testicular tumour and may also have suffered a stroke, and eventually decided to put him down.

Peter King, defending, said the dog had been a farm dog when Baron acquired him 19 years ago, and lived in a lean-to shed in the back yard, and also accompanied Baron to work until he got too old.

"My client was terribly upset that he had brought about these circumstances," he said.

"He accepts his fault so far as it goes and this is the first time he has appeared before a court of any kind.

"He has tried to look after the dog in its old age but he has failed to appreciate that the hair loss has been caused probably by hormonal differences because of the testicular tumour."

The dog was not undernourished, he added.

Presiding magistrate Dr Michael Bolton said: "We have heard all that's been said and despite the longstanding hair loss and obvious disabilities no veterinary help was sought.

"We do not accept the explanation of old age as a reasonable explanation."

Baron was banned from keeping an animal for 10 years, fined £300 and ordered to pay £750 costs.