A former care worker has been banned from owning dogs after her Pocket Bully lost half its body weight and was left unable to stand.

Samantha Vaughan was disqualified from owning animals for five years after she neglected her dog, Blue.

Southampton Magistrates’ Court heard how the male Pocket Bully had been unwell for a “considerable period of time” and had “lost half its body mass”.

When the former care worker from Sedgewick Road, Bishopstoke eventually took him to the vets, he was unable to raise his paw and couldn’t stand.

Vaughan, 40, has since resigned from her job as a care worker having handed over both Blue and another dog to the RSPCA.

READ MORE: Pocket Bully dog unable to stand after neglect by Hampshire woman

Sentencing her, deputy district judge Andrew Teate said: “If she can’t care for an animal then how could she care for an individual?

“The dog is your dog. It is your responsibility.

“If you weren’t in a position to care for the dog you shouldn’t have had it and you should have turned it over to the RSPCA.”

The incident took place between October 1 and October 14 last year with Vaughan attending a voluntary interview before pleading guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

Representing the RSPCA, Sarah Wheadon said this had been “prolonged neglect” which led to “pain and suffering” for Blue.

“In this case the RSPCA’s position would be this is a serious case.

“The defendant knew there was something incorrect with the dog.”

Southampton Magistrates' Court.Southampton Magistrates' Court. (Image: Newsquest)

The court heard how Vaughan had been struggling with her physical and mental health at the time and is now facing debts on her home.

Mitigating, Will Day said: “Since she discovered the problem she quickly after that took the dog to the vet.

“[She] has had dogs with her partner 20 years. Both of them tell me they have never had anything like this.

“She knows her position at the moment is difficult with mental health.”

Vaughan received a 12-month community order with 15 rehabilitation days and must pay a £120 fine plus a £114 surcharge.

Blue has since made recovered and is healthy after being taken in by the RSPCA.

Asked by her solicitor how she would feel about being banned from owning animals, Vaughan said: “Truly I will just feel sad about it.”