A DOG owner who caused unnecessary suffering to his pet has been banned from keeping animals for five years.

Paul Joseph Spinks admitted that he neglected his bull terrier Snoop by failing to give it an adequate supply of food.

Appearing at South Cumbria Magistrates' Court, the 31-year-old also admitted that he failed to provide adequate parasitic control and failed to find care for his dog when he was away.

Spinks, of Yewbarrow Terrace in Grange, was brought to court after being prosecuted by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

He pleaded guilty to two charges relating to animal neglect, carried out between August 2 and September 2.

The court ordered him to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work on top of banning him from keeping a pet.

He can apply to remove the order after three years.