A dog owner who failed to take his Staffordshire bull terrier to the vets despite it having a broken leg has admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the animal.

West Bromwich Magistrates Court heard the puppy, named Ella, would have been limping around in pain for a month until she was rescued by RSPCA officers.

James Smith, aged 22, of Meadow Avenue, West Bromwich yesterday pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal by failing to provide veterinary care between December 11, 2009 and January 10, 2010.

Mr Nick Sutton, prosecuting, told the court: “The prosecution say for a month a Staffordshire bull terrier puppy was caused to suffer.”

Mr Sutton said the RSPCA was summoned by the police to the defendant’s sixth floor flat, where two adult dogs and two puppies were found.

He said: “The situation wasn’t ideal, there was urine and faeces on the floor.” Also her leg was swollen and there was also a lump on her hip:

“It was obvious the animal needed help.”

The puppy was taken straight to a vets who said the injury was between four and six weeks old and prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs, pain relief and put Ella’s leg in a splint.

Mr Sutton added the other dogs had been kept in a good condition and all had been fed and watered adequately.

During an RSPCA interview the court heard Smith said the injury had been caused by one of the larger dogs sitting on her.Mr Ranbir Singh, defending, said that Smith had tried to help the animal, bathing her leg, separating her from the other animals.

Mr Singh added: “Where he clearly falls down is once the injury didn’t heal he maybe should have sought medical help. He tells me he simply couldn’t afford to take the animal to the vets.”

Magistrates adjourned the hearing for pre-sentence reports. He will be sentenced on April 19 at the magistrates court.