A DUNFERMLINE couple who neglected their dog so badly it had to put down will still be allowed to keep pets.

Amanda Hunter and Anthony Paton, of Macbeth Road, allowed the ear of Rocco, their German Shepherd, to become so infected that the skin had opened on its face and left the jaw visible.

However, various other animals at their home, including another dog, were found to be in good condition, giving reason for Sheriff Craig McSherry to refuse a ban to stop them from keeping pets for two years.

Hunter, 51, and Paton, 52, previously admitted that between July 15 and September 2, 2016, at their address and elsewhere in Dunfermline, they did by an act or omission cause the dog unnecessary suffering.

They also admitted failing to provide appropriate care and treatment for the dog’s chronic conditions, including skin conditions, lesions, ulcers, multiple fistulae, flea infestation, hair loss and overgrown claws.

As a consequence, the dog was put to sleep on welfare grounds.

After a visit from the Scottish SPCA, the couple took Rocco to the vets on August 31, 2016. However, instead of following the advice of the vet for the dog to be put down, they took him home.

On September 2, the SSPCA attended their address again and found the German Shepherd in a bad way. The animal charity was told by Hunter that she had been self-medicating Rocco with bandages and only realised how bad his face was when she clipped his hair.

The pair said they had taken the dog home because they weren’t prepared to let him go. At this stage Rocco was so thin he could barely stand up, there was a hole in his jaw and muscle wastage to his face. He needed urgent veterinary treatment so the couple were cautioned and the dog was taken from them.

When Rocco was inspected he weighed just 24.8kg and vets stated that he must have been in that state for months. Records indicated that Rocco had been taken to a Dunfermline vet last May by Hunter.

Paton said they had been “hung, drawn and quartered” but agreed they shouldn’t have taken Rocco home when the vet told them he should be put down.

Defence solicitor Elaine Buist said Hunter was distraught about the way that Rocco died.

Defence solicitor Sarah Meehan added that her client, Paton, was full of remorse and knew his actions led to his dog’s demise.

Sheriff McSherry said: “This is not the usual case of animal neglect.

“The element of neglect was blatantly obvious but I appreciate that dog owners can be swayed by their emotions instead of listening to vets.”

Sentence was deferred until January 31 to allow Hunter and Paton to make a charitable donation of £400 each to the SSPCA.