A WOMAN was banned from keeping animals for five years after neglecting a German Shepherd dog she claimed to have treated like "her baby".

Mandy Holland, 42, was sentenced at Caerphilly magistrates court yesterday after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to neglecting her eight-year-old dog Rocky.

Holland, of Bryn Golau Street, Cefn Forest, broke down in court as James Lynch, prosecuting, told the court how she had lied to RSPCA Inspector Edwina Davidson when she told her the dog was dead during a visit on May 4 this year.

Mr Lynch said: "As a consequence of this, Inspector Davidson left but was later telephoned by a crying Mandy Holland who said the dog wasn't actually dead."

When Inspector Davidson returned to Holland's house, Rocky was found to be 7kg underweight and suffering from an extreme case of alopicia which was particularly bad around the dog's right eye.

The dog was impounded and taken to Sion Rowlands, a Cardiff-based vet, for emergency treatment. Mr Rowlands concluded that Rocky had been suffering from his skin condition for the previous three to four months. Rocky has since recovered following his treatment and is now housed in an RSPCA kennel.

During an interview with Inspector Davidson on May 8, Holland claimed to have been treating the dog with over-the-counter ointments bought from a pet shop in Blackwood. Defence solicitor Claire Phillips said: "Mrs Holland has never appeared before the courts for any matter before.

"She said the dog was dead because she was scared and didn't want to lose him because it is her life....her baby." She added that the defendant had not taken Rocky to a vet because she couldn't afford it.

In sentencing Holland, chairman of the magistrates Robert Peel said: "This is a case that has caused us great concern especially after seeing the photos of the dog."

In addition to the five year ban on keeping animals, Holland was also ordered to pay a fine of £200 and contribute a further £200 in costs.

After the case Inspector Davidson said: "I am pleased at the disqualification order which means we can now re-home Rocky and if anyone is interested they can contact us on 02920 702352."