A woman who neglected and 'abandoned' a chronically ill dog has been given a five-year animal ban.

Emma McCorkell, 27, had left Jack Russell terrier Pip unattended in a Brinnington flat for two days.

Pip was later discovered by an RSPCA inspector, and was said to have been found "curled up in a ball in her own excrement". Pip later had to be put to sleep by a vet because she was so poorly.

McCorkell was also given a £200 fine and a 12 month community order, after sentencing at Manchester Magistrates' Court on 20 May.

When Pip was taken to the vet after being discovered, she was found to weigh just 4.6kg, and was given a body condition score of only 2/9. Pip was also found to have had severe dental disease and advanced chronic renal disease.

The vet suggested that Pip's condition may have been worsened by her abandonment, due to her being unable to access food and water for a period of time.

Pip was found to weight just 4.6kg when she was taken to the vet (Image - RSPCA)

During a case interview, McCorkell admitted that Pip should not have been left alone for two days, but said that she needed to get out of the flat.

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She also said she felt she had done all she could for the dog, and that she would never do anything to harm her animals.

In mitigation, the court also heard that McCorkell had poor mental health and was struggling to look after herself.

McCorkell had been responsible for Pip since November 2022, after the dog's former owner had been admitted to hospital.

McCorkell pleaded guilty to "causing unnecessary suffering" to Pip, "by failing to provide veterinary treatment in respect of the dog's poor bodily condition, weight loss and health issues".

The charge added: "You knew or ought reasonably to have known that your failure to act would have the effect of causing the animal to suffer or be likely to do so, contrary to Section 4(1) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006."