A COLLIE dog had to be given the drug Diazepam to calm it down after it was neglected by its owner, a court heard.

The dog, Tyson, was trembling, underweight and dehydrated when it was taken to a vet after being spotted in a back garden in Keighley by a police community support officer.

It was given medication including Diazepam to help it calm down but had to be put to sleep several days later as it was suffering chronic kidney failure.

Yesterday, Tyson's owner, Gul Ahmed, 42, of North Dean Road, Keighley, admitted three counts of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal when he appeared before magistrates in Bradford.

Gareth Hawden, for Ahmed, said his client had cared for Tyson for 17 years and there was no suggestion he had deliberately starved the dog.

He said Ahmed had failed to get the dog treatment when it became ill.

At the time of the offence, Ahmed's mother had died and he had become depressed.

"This was a healthy dog for most of its life. When his mother died he fell to pieces and so did his care of the dog."

Mr Hawden said his client had only discovered that Tyson had been put down five minutes before entering court.

"It seems the RSPCA could have written him a letter. They didn't notify his solicitors either. They chose to tell this man five minutes before the case that his dog is dead and has been for many months."

Mr Hawden said that Ahmed had been hoping to get Tyson back before being told the sad news.

RSPCA prosecutor Andrew Davidson said the charity's inspector had made numerous attempts to get in touch with Ahmed in order to get permission for Tyson to be put down.

"They were not able to get that permission. A decision was taken by a vet, not the RSCPA."

Ahmed was fined £130 and ordered to pay costs of £500 and a £20 surcharge. He was banned from keeping dogs for 12 months.

Magistrates accepted that it was a family pet and that the neglect had been short term.