Beverley Eden 42, and Kevin Smith, 48, both of Mendip Court, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to their German Shepherd Rocky and failing to respond to ensure the animal’s welfare between 1st and 29th November last year.

Worksop magistrates heard that when Rocky, who is nearly six-years-old, began to scratch and bite at his body, they thought he had fleas.

The couple did not take him to the vet and instead treated him with flea powder and shampoo, which did nothing.

The court heard how RSPCA inspector Tina McAdam found the dog at the couple’s address on 29th November last year after a concerned member of the public contacted her.

Eden told Mrs McAdam that she was having problems with her pet and couldn’t cope with him any longer, and told her to take him away.

When Mrs McAdam inspected him, she could see that Rocky had a severe skin disease, was itchy, irritated and underweight – the dog weighed nearly 29kg, whereas the average German Shepherd weighs 35-40kg.

Rocky was immediately taken to a vet, who diagnosed the canine with severe alopecia to the eyes, ears and feet.

He was ‘intensely itchy’, and would scratch himself raw. He also had scabies and over-grown nails.

He was quickly treated with an anti-bacterial wash, parasitic treatments and antibiotics. Further tests revealed the dog was suffering from a small intestinal disease. He was treated and gradually put on weight.

The court heard that Rocky - who was bought by the couple in 2003 - had never seen a vet.

Eden and Smith claim they did not take the dog to the vet because they could not afford it and struggled to get transport.

“They failed to protect the animal from pain, suffering and disease,” said David Payne, prosecuting.

But David Verity defending, said that his clients were ‘extremely upset’ about what happened to Rocky.

“There have never been any previous concerns about their care of Rocky,” said Mr Verity.

“They have had animals most of their lives and never had any concerns or difficulties in the past.”

The couple say Rocky’s problems began when he was placed in kennels at Worksop Police Station in the weeks before the animal was taken away.

The pair had been involved in a domestic dispute and Smith, who is currently serving a prison sentence for ‘completely dissimilar matters,’ was arrested and taken to the police station.