A Deal couple who allowed their Staffordshire bull terriers to attack other pets have been banned from keeping dogs.

George and Josephine Young of Cowdray Square, Deal, were convicted of animal welfare offences at Dover Magistrates’ Court after failing to prevent their dogs Tyson and Fiesty from attacking others.

The RSPCA was called after a miniature Schnauzer called Max, aged two, was attacked by the couple's dogs near their home last August.

The attack followed two others by the same dogs - another female miniature Schnauzer called Molly, also aged two, and a Labrador called Bailey, aged 13, who were attacked at different times in July.

“These were unprovoked attacks which escalated in severity - the last one resulting in a need for surgery" - RSPCA inspector Caroline Doe

All three dogs were injured, but Max required surgery.

When the RSPCA visited the couple's home, inspectors discovered one of the bull terriers also needed veterinary attention for an unrelated issue.

RSPCA inspector Caroline Doe said: “The dogs had attacked and injured three dogs on three separate occasions.

“These were unprovoked attacks which escalated in severity - the last one resulting in a need for surgery. There was also evidence that these dogs were being used to threaten people.

“If this situation had been allowed to continue, more dogs were likely to have been hurt, or perhaps even people, so I am really pleased these dogs have now been removed from the owners.

“Dog owners need to remember that they have a responsibility to keep their pets under control - for the welfare of all animals and people.”

One of the couple's pets, Feisty, aged one, has also now lost a leg in an unrelated incident.

The Youngs were disqualified from keeping dogs for five years, fined £500 each and made to pay £2,700 costs.

The dogs have now been taken into RSPCA care, along with two of Feisty’s puppies.