Couple in court after neglected puppy found starved and living in fly-infested home

Forced to lie in its own fifth, a starved puppy was rescued from a "putrid" fly-infested dump after being neglected by her owners.

The 10-month-old husky, named Missy, was found in Ruth Lane and Lee Kiernan's North Shields family home.

Old food was piled up on the floor and it was so high, RSPCA officer's struggled to open the door to rescue Missy.

When they did, the puppy was so hungry she "rushed " from her cage to eat some of the leftovers.

Both Missy and a white tabby cat named Cuddles were neglected so badly their former owners have been warned they could be jailed - despite their solicitor claiming they are "unsuitable" for prison.

Friday's sentencing heard how Kiernan told one RSCPA officer to "f*** off" before calling them a "cocky s****" for trying to check on the pet's welfare.