A MAN and a woman have been handed a suspended sentence after causing unnecessary suffering to a dog.

David Herbst and Jodie Mulcrow, of Wigan Road, Leigh were found guilty of three counts at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates' Court in their absence in April.

It relates to the care of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier in November 2018.

Herbst, 27, and Mulcrow, 25, failed to provide prompt, professional veterinary care for the laceration wounds of the dog's head and protect her from pain, suffering or injury.

They also failed to adequately treat her flea burden and associated skin disease.

The defendants, who appeared in court on Tuesday, were given a two-month sentence suspended for a year and ordered to pay costs of £1,000 and victim service surcharge fees totalling £230.

They have also been banned from owning all animals for 20 years.