An underweight dog was left unable to stand after being neglected by his owner, a court heard.

Samantha Vaughan, 40, failed to take care of her male Pocket Bully Blue for two weeks.

The pet ‘lost a lot of weight’ and could not stand on his own four legs as a result, magistrates were told.

The incident occurred between October 1 and October 14 of last year.

Appearing before Southampton Magistrates’ Court, Vaughan, of Sedgewick Road, Bishopstoke, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

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Mitigating, Will Day said: "This is a guilty plea entered straight away and the allegation itself is very serious.

"It is alleged Ms Vaughan caused suffering to a dog over a two-week period.

"The dog could not stand and lost a lot of weight.

"He has made a full recovery now after an operation."

Magistrate said Vaughan's actions were a ‘very serious offence’ before instructing her to return to court on July 15 to be sentenced.

The prosecution did not outline any of its case at the hearing on Friday.