A BRIERLEY Hill pair who lived in shocking squalor have admitted leaving their dying dog caked in urine and faeces.

Dudley magistrates heard when Lawrence Griffin, aged 57, who works as a security guard at a police car pound, and his sister Shirley Griffin, 54, were evicted from their council house, officials found neglected Rocky, a crossbred alsatian/collie, so weak he could only raise his head.

Tragically Rocky, believed to be about 15-years-old, was so ill he could not be saved and was put to sleep after being examined by a vet.

RSPCA lawyer, Gaynor Sutton, described of the appalling conditions in the property, in Chestnut Avenue, Dudley, by reading from the statement of a police officer who attended the scene.

Mrs Sutton told magistrates: "The officer said it was the worst smell he had ever smelt, the floor was covered with a sticky substance which made it difficult to tell where the carpet was."

Rocky was found on his side in the lounge, he was malnourished and suffering with pressure sores and an eight centimetre tumour.

Other pets were found at the property, they had food and water and the court was told the defendants did not accept allegations these animals were being kept in dirty cages.

The court was also told under questioning Lawrence Griffin said to police officers: "I only trust my snakes."

The Griffins, who now live on Stourbridge Road, also deny claims they abandoned Rocky and the other animals when they were thrown out of their previous home in January, and blamed Dudley Council for not maintaining the property.

Speaking after the hearing, Shirley Griffin said: "The house was a death trap, window frames were broken and there was an electric heater in the bathroom.

"We tried to get the animals re-homed. We asked our family it they could take them but they were moving or on holiday."

"We are sorry for what happened, the dog was a guard dog, every time I went near him he had a go at me."

The pair pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal by neglect and not taking steps to ensure the animal was living in a suitable environment.

The were remanded on bail until Friday October 26 for pre-sentence reports to be prepared.