A mum-of-three has been jailed after her injured puppy was left to starve on a urine soaked mattress with a bone sticking out of his leg.

Lorraine Farrell of The Coppins, Croydon, and her husband Patrick, were accused of neglecting their injured puppy called Caesar.

The Staffordshire bull terrier-type dog was very underweight and suffering from severe dog bite injuries all over his body, when found.

He also had visible broken bones which had pierced his skin.

The RSPCA were called to the couple's home by police in May, after they discovered the eight-month-old puppy in an upstairs bedroom.

Despite being given treatment Caesar was put to sleep two days later on veterinary advice.

A vet estimated Caesar had suffered for at least three months.

The couple pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, due to their failure to provide exercise and an adequate diet, veterinary treatment and protection from painful dog bites.

On Monday, Mrs Farrell, 46, was jailed for 12 weeks and banned from keeping animals for 15 years. Her 56-year-old husband was too ill to attend the hearing at Camberwell Green Magistrates' Court and will be sentenced on December 28.

RSPCA Becky London who investigated the case, said: "This is a really sad case and was made worse by the knowledge the dog couldn't be saved.

"Poor Caesar had no joy at all in his short life. He spent all of his time in an upstairs bedroom while the other dogs lived downstairs.

"He had a bone infection and septicaemia and I've never seen a dog with an open fracture before - I was shocked.

"He had pus and blood coming out of his many wounds."