A WARRANT was issued for the arrest of two dog owners after they were convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to their pet dog.

Rhian Clayton, 26, and Nick Clements, 42, both of Ribble Walk, Bettws, had been due to appear before Abergavenny magistrates court.

They were convicted of the charge in their absence.

Their two year-old mongrel, named Loz, suffered from severe burns to the back and shoulders sometime between May 23 and 27 last year.

The court heard that Clayton and Clements told the RSPCA that it was a neighbour who poured boiling water on the dog.

But as the owners, the RSPCA said Clayton and Clements failed to take their pet to the vets and have therefore been charged with causing unnecessary suffering.

Aled Watkins, prosecuting, said Loz was signed over to the RSPCA on May 27 and taken to the vet.

He said Loz's skin was found to be severely inflamed and the vet said the burns must have been "extremely painful."

Mr Watkins noted that Clayton and Clements said they tried to treat the dog with creams, but said this was not sufficient for their pet's needs.

Clements phoned into court to say they couldn't be there because they couldn't afford the train fare.

The case had already been adjourned from January 30, when the pair phoned in to say they wouldn't be able to make the hearing because of child care problems.

Chairman of the bench Peter Wood found them guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to their dog despite their absence and issued a warrant for their arrest.

The pair will be brought before the court and could face being disqualified from owning pets for a number of years.