A TWELVE-year-old girl faces having her pet taken from her after her mother and older sister were banned from keeping dogs for three years.

Sharon Young, 47, and her daughter Emma, 20, both of Belfield Road, Accrington, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a dog by not caring for it properly.

Now the family will have to pass on their other dog, which belongs Sharon Young's younger daughter, even though RSPCA officials admitted it was in a good condition.

RSPCA solicitor Chris Wyatt told Hyndburn Magistrates that inspectors from the charity were called to the Youngs' home in June where they found the four-and-a-half-year-old boxer bitch in such a poor condition that all of its bones were clearly visible.

The dog was immediately taken to the vets where it was concluded that the dog had not had a decent meal for more than three weeks. During that time, the dog had given birth to pups, which it had eaten.

Mr Wyatt said: "The dog was clearly dehydrated and lethargic.

"When interviewed under caution, Sharon said she fed the dog Weetabix, milk, Shredded Wheat, tripe and biscuits.

"Despite the dog's obvious poor condition, Sharon said she thought the dog was tired after giving birth.

"What is very bizarre is that Emma said she thought the dog only needed worming, even though it had eaten its own pups.

"This, to us, is an obvious case of a dog not receiving the necessary care in needs."

In the duo's defence, solicitor Gillian Lloyd said it was the first time they had looked after a dog of this type.

She said: "They had every intention of taking the dog to the vets. Its thin state had not been visible to them because the dog was pregnant.

"The fact the dog ate its puppies is possibly due more to do with its mental state than anything else. It had been used to breed in the past. It had been fed what the previous owner said it had liked.

"Both Emma and Sharon feel deep shame by what has happened but it is important to note they do have another dog which belongs to Sharon's 12-year-old daughter, which is in a good condition."

Emma and Sharon were each given a 12 month conditional discharge and banned from keeping dogs for three years. Sharon was ordered to pay £200 costs, Emma £400.

Mr Wyatt added: "This means they can keep no dogs in their home and their daughter's must be passed on as well."

The boxer dog, which has already been rehomed, has increased in weight from 15.7kg to 21.9kg, much nearer to its average weight.