A father and son were banned from keeping pets after a dog was eaten alive by maggots.

The Japanese Akita named Skye had to be put down after neighbours heard "high-pitched whining" in St Ann's, a court heard.

A vet also put to sleep a German shepherd dog Gino which had a tumour visible on its back. Growths were found in its mouth and anus.

A Shih Tzu dog Miko was short of water and the RSPCA tried to rehome it but found it had become too aggressive. It was destroyed as well.

Prison terms of 12 weeks, suspended for a year, were ordered for Son Huynh, 52, and Hai Huynh, 22, both of Kildare Road, St Ann's. They must each pay £150 towards the charity's costs as well as £115 government tax.

Presiding magistrate Caroline Exton told the pair: "We find there was greater harm and higher culpability because of the death and suffering caused to the three animals over a very prolonged period of neglect.

"You were both in a position of responsibility of care for these dogs. Both of you omitted to obtain veterinary care. You are equally culpable."

Although the animal ban was imposed without a finishing date, they could return to court and ask for it to be lifted.

Paul Wright, for the RSPCA, said a neighbour reported "high pitched whining" coming from an overgrown back garden where Skye and Gino lived.

Skye was unable to stand and Mr Wright told the three JPs: "Its fur was coming away in clumps and it was completely covered with maggots in different states. It was effectively fly strike.

"There was decomposition and a fluid discharge. The dog was still alive while the maggots were eating away at its flesh."

The men admitted causing unnecessary suffering by failing to get veterinary treatment and not providing a suitable environment for the pets.

Matt Hayes, mitigating, said the father had been away on a Vietnamese Catholic Community trip to London and France. His son contacted him to tell him of the sick dog and the father said he would sort it out on his return.

The son was working on a dissertation for a university degree and was feeling the pressure of that.

Mr Hayes said: "These were family pets and they had them for ten years. They accept they ignored and disregarded the problem."

Skye was struggling to get to its feet before the RSPCA were called in. It was 16 at the time and had foot problems because of its age.

The father went on a trip to London and France. When his son made contact to say that the dog was ill, he said that he would deal with the problem when he returned home.

At the time, his son was working on a dissertation as part of a degree course at Nottingham Trent University. This added to his pressure, said Mr Hayes.

He pointed out that the pair had never been in trouble before and said the father cares for his elderly parents while his son is a warehouse worker.

Mr Hayes added: "They never intended the abuse of those poor dogs. Both are devastated by what happened."

The two men must spend 12 days of training with probation officers.