A woman from Yeovil has been banned from keeping dogs for five years after she admitted failing to get treatment for her West Highland terrier who was left with almost no fur on her body.

The RSPCA found the Westie, called Spirit, in a pitiful state when Inspector Marie Griffiths visited Teresa Sharon Long’s home address at St George’s Avenue in April this year.

The nine-year-old dog was suffering from a skin condition, later confirmed as demodectic mange, which had left her body almost entirely bald. She also had infected ears and overgrown claws.

Long, 47, appeared at South Somerset Magistrates’ Court yesterday after she had previously admitted one offence under the Animal Welfare Act of causing unnecessary suffering by failing to investigate and treat the cause of Spirit’s skin condition.

She was handed a five-year ban on keeping dogs, given a 12-month community order and told she must carry out 80 hours of unpaid work.

The court also ordered her to pay £500 in costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

Inspector Griffiths said: “When I visited the property I found Spirit in the house. The smell of her skin when I found her was disgusting. It was pungent and there was pus in her ears caused by an infection.

“Her claws were overgrown and she she had been scratching herself raw. The owner had put a jumper on her to try and stop her scratching, but if anything that just made the skin condition worse.

“When I took her to the vet, they said it was the worst skin case she’d ever seen.”

The court issued a deprivation order against Long and a new home for Spirit, who has made a strong recovery, has already been lined up by the RSPCA.

“Generally, in cases like this where the skin has got so bad it never fully recovers, but she’s got so much fur now she looks like Tina Turner.

“She’s a real little trooper. She was obviously suffering, but she had such a feisty attitude it was like she just decided to battle on regardless.

“The sentence shows how series the court viewed the case. Every owner has a responsibility to their animals. Veterinary advice or attention should always be sought. Ignoring situations is not acceptable and could have serious consequences,” added Inspector Griffiths.