A COUPLE have been banned from owning dogs for the rest of their lives after admitting neglecting two animals.

RSPCA officers found one dog belonging to Russell Isaac and Roseanna Perrywhich which had died of starvation and another which was barely alive, Reedley Magistrates heard yesterday.

The pair, both of Saxon Street, Daneshouse, Burnley, admitted neglecting two dogs at the hearing.

The court heard that last year a bull mastiff called Lucifer was found dead on the banks of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in Burnley, which police traced back to the couple through an electronic chipping device in the animal.

After raiding Isaac’s house, a bull mastiff cross, called Booma, was found in an upstairs room, which was extremely thin.

Elsewhere in the house were 22 snakes, two scorpions and a blue tongued skink, a type of lizard, which were well cared for.

Prosecutor Chris Wyatt said: “The vet who examined the dog described Lucifer’s carcass as the most emaciated animal he had seen in 27 years.

“Booma too was in a terrible state and was rated as 0.5 on the body condition scale for vets, which shows serious neglect.

“Booma’s nails were very much overgrown which is a sign of a lack of walking and exercise.”

Glen Smith, representing the defendants, said Isaac, 27, and Roseanna Perry, 24, both suffered from with mental health problems.

The court was told the couple live at different houses in Saxon Street, but Perry spends most of her time caring for Isaac who suffers several epileptic fits each week.

Mr Smith said: “Though both dogs were in an awful condition, this was not through any torture or intentional wrongdoing.

“The couple both have mental health problems and one has to look at how aware they were of the damage that was being done through neglecting the dogs.”

RSPCA inspector Lisa Lupson, speaking after the hearing, said: “I am satisfied with the sentenced handed down to Isaac and Perry.

"A lifetime ban from keeping any animals is always what we hope for, as it's the best way to prevent any further animals from suffering.

“The fact that the court felt this was the appropriate way to deal with this case shows how seriously they took what happened here."