Two Black Country brothers are facing custody for allowing their family dog to die in pain four years after the RSPCA had been called in to advise them on its care.

Black terrier Buster was “crying out” in agony due to an untreated ear infection but “absolutely nothing” was done by Mark and Simon Rafferty to help the animal, Wolverhampton Magistrates Court was told.

Mark and Simon Rafferty had already been punished for not looking after another of their dogs, a bull terrier named Ruby.

Less than 13 months later Buster died due to their neglect at the family’s home in Batmans Hill Road, Bilston.

Prosecutor Nick Sutton said: “This 14-year-old dog could have been cured if it had received proper treatment. It was crying out in pain and profoundly sick but absolutely nothing was done to help,” the court heard.

RSPCA officials were first called out to Buster in 2003. The family was advised it needed to see a vet and given a £30 voucher to pay for treatment that was used.

The brothers were fined for not looking after Ruby in 2006. The RSPCA was called in again over the treatment of Buster 12 months later but ignored advice to have it seen by a vet.

Staff returned to the house on December 5 last year after being tipped off by a concerned member of the public and found the terrier in a terrible condition.

RSPCA inspector Pamela O’Neill said yesterday: “It was covered by a blanket and breathing extremely heavily. It was still alive but did not recognise any stimuli. I was told by a member of the family that the pet had been seriously ill for several days.”

She drove Buster to a nearby vets but it died on the way. Blood poisoning caused by the ear infection had caused heart failure.

Mark Rafferty, 20, admitted failing to provide proper veterinary care for the sick animal and causing it unnecessary pain and suffering.

His brother, 22, was convicted after trial.

The pair, now of Maxwell Road, All Saints, were bailed until October 20.

Magistrates chairman David Smith warned: “We can not rule out custody.”