A WORLE woman has denied charges of animal cruelty after her dog had to be put down by vets.

Celia Blackwell, aged 59, appeared before magistrates at North Somerset Courthouse on Wednesday accused of failing to properly look after a Jack Russell Terrier called Noble, between April and July of this year.

The RSPCA, who are prosecuting her, said the dog developed a chronic skin condition, which had not been properly dealt with.

Sue Denley, defending said Ms Blackwell had told her she was personally treating the dog, which she owned for nearly two years, before the RSPCA intervened.

Ms Blackwell, dressed in a red jumper and black trousers, only spoke to plead not guilty to a charge of failing to be responsible for looking after an animal and two charges of causing unnecessary suffering to Noble. They relate to failing to treat the skin problem and for not getting the dog’s claws trimmed.

Ms Blackwell, of Warrilow Close, will appear before the same court for a one-day trial in January.