Several days later, the council received dozens of letters saying Tiggy was Patterson and Milburn's property.

In Thursday, March 3, the couple appeared at North Tyneside Magistrates Court and acknowledged inflicting needless suffering to a protected species.

They also agreed to neglecting to look after their other dog, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Enzo is a terrier that suffers from a skin ailment and a mite infestation.