A PET owner who admitted being cruel to a dog by failing to give it an adequate diet leapt to her own defence this week. We love our dogs and we have gone without food in the past to make sure our animals are fed, said 23-year-old Melanie Walker. I wo

A PET owner who admitted being cruel to a dog by failing to give it an adequate diet leapt to her own defence this week.

"We love our dogs and we have gone without food in the past to make sure our animals are fed," said 23-year-old Melanie Walker.

"I would get into debt for my dogs; we have taken them to the vet on numerous occasions."

Walker and 21-year-old Damien Wright, both of Ramnoth Road, Wisbech, last month admitted causing unnecessary suffering to an eight-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier that was found to be underweight.

"He had only been losing weight for three weeks, we thought he needed worming, and we had already decided to take him to the vet if the problem carried on," said Melanie.

"The RSPCA said he was on the wrong diet. We have now changed his food, he is perfectly healthy again."

The pair, who have two other healthy dogs, a Doberman called Sky and a miniature Jack Russell called Fudge, were both fined �100 and were ordered to pay �50 costs and a �15 surcharge by Fenland magistrates. They were not disqualified from keeping animals.

An RSPCA spokesman said that "within just six days of being in RSPCA care this dog gained three kgs. He had been caused to suffer simply because he was not provided with enough food.

"We are hopeful that the dog will now continue to be provided with the right diet.