A VALE couple have withdrawn their pleas of guilty to mistreating a dog so badly that it had to be put down.

Anthony Crosthwaite, 39, and his wife Amanda, 35, had admitted a charge of mistreating the dog, named Keeva, at their home address in North Street, Alexandria, between July 2017 and July 2018.

But a court hearing on Friday was told the couple were withdrawing their guilty pleas, and were now denying the offence, after seeking legal advice.

The charge against the pair accuses them of failing to provide Keeva with adequate care and treatment and of failing to obtain advice or treatment for the dog, who was suffering from bilateral ear infection, emaciation and muscle loss which was so bad the animal had to be euthanised on welfare grounds.

Solicitor Jonathan Paul lodged a motion on the couple’s behalf to withdraw their pleas when they appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Friday.

But the motion prompted Sheriff John Hamilton to ask why the couple had made the decision – having been interacting with the court process for more than two months, and having said since late November that they were pleading guilty to the charge.

Sheriff Hamilton said: “They failed to appear on November 13. They answered warrants on November 29 and pleaded guilty.

“On December 11 they pleaded guilty by letter. On December 21 they both appeared in person. Why should they get to withdraw their pleas now?

“There have been at least three occasions when they’ve interacted with the court, and they’ve pleaded guilty. What part of coming to court, being in court, signing a letter saying they’re pleading guilty, did they not understand?”

Mr Paul said the couple had entered their guilty pleas without first speaking to a solicitor.

But Sheriff Hamilton snapped: “They’ve interacted with the process on a number of occasions. They’re competent adults who have filled in the forms, so what basis do I have for them now withdrawing their pleas?

“If they’ve done all that without legal advice, so be it. Why take legal advice now?”

Mr Paul said the couple had been dealing with some difficult family circumstances, including an unrelated court case involving a close family member, and added: “They have not applied their minds to this as they should have done.”

Sheriff Hamilton granted Mr Paul’s motion – but told the pair: “This is a legal process. You must understand the consequences when you read and sign documents, and you must co-operate with the court and with the process.”

Sheriff Hamilton released the couple on bail and set further court dates for the spring.