A husband and wife caused unnecessary suffering to two dogs they had rescued from a drug-user friend, magistrates heard.

Arthur and Beverley Lynn, aged 54 and 39 respectively, had each pleaded not guilty to the two charges of causing suffering, but the case went to trial and yesterday they were sentenced at Bradford Magistrates’ Court.

Mr Lynn, who has multiple sclerosis and is on incapacity benefits, was put on a 7pm to 7am curfew for four months and his wife was ordered to serve 80 hours’ unpaid work in the community.

The case cost the RSPCA £4,633.41, but because of the couple’s financial situation they were ordered to pay costs of £250 within 12 months.

The Lynns, of Arden Road, Lower Grange, Bradford, were also banned from keeping any animals for five years and will have to hand over a pet cat to the animal welfare charity.

It was last year that a member of the public alerted the RSPCA. When officers went to the address, they found a two-year-old pregnant Staffordshire bull terrier stricken by a bad skin condition.

Because she was with litter, her treatment had to be delayed until the pups were born, but the severity of her skin condition left her so weak that four of the pups died.

The Jack Russell, who was six, also had mange caused by mites. Both dogs went on to make a good recovery and have since been found good homes.

Magistrates heard the Lynns had “bitten off more than they could chew” when they tried to help by taking on the responsibility of the dogs.

A probation report said the couple, who have a three-year-old child, had sought help for the Staffordshire bull terrier called Sandy by taking her to the PDSA, but had missed follow-up appointments because of lack of transport and little money.

The report said the Lynns had tried their best but could not cope with the responsibilities.