A FAMILY of four left their dog to suffer in pain for days after it jumped out a bedroom window, a court was told.

Christopher Ward, his wife Jane, and their sons Christopher and John, all of York Road, Gravesend, pleaded guilty to mistreating their black lurcher-type dog named Rebel.

The animal suffered fractures to his front legs after jumping from the window, but was not taken to the vet until an RSPCA inspector visited their home four days later.

Andrew Wiles, prosecuting at Dartford Magistrates' Court, said RSPCA chief inspector Steve Dockery visited the Wards' home, and found Rebel on the living room sofa. Mr Dockery saw the dog had swollen legs and said it was obvious the joints were angled the wrong way, making it difficult for Rebel to walk.

The dog was taken to vets where his damaged limbs were put in a cast. He was taken in by the RSPCA and later sent to a foster home.

The members of the Ward family were

each fined £100 for the offence and ordered to pay costs of £400. They will not look after Rebel again, but can keep three other dogs living in their home.

Anne-Marie Critchley, for the defence, said: "All accept responsibility of the family dog and that they had made a mistake. They are very, very sorry about what had happened."