Three 16-year-olds appeared before Sittingbourne magistrates in August 2007, accused of cruelly terrifying a gerbil by giving it to a dog.

The court heard how the youths, who were all from Sittingbourne, took the gerbil out of its cage, put it on the floor in front of the dog and encouraged the dog to chase and bite it. When the dog let go of the gerbil, the boys stamped it to death.

The boys claimed that the gerbil had bitten them. They had all admitted the offence at an earlier hearing.

All three youths were banned from keeping any animals for two years. Two of the youths were each given a four-month detention and training order. The third teenager was given a 12 months supervision order and ordered to pay £250 in costs.

A 13-year-old lurcher was found emaciated and suffering from ear problems when a RSPCA inspector called at the home of a Gravesend mother and son in January 2007.

Wendy Hucks, 48, and her son Steven, 29, of Ash Road in the town were banned from keeping dogs for three years after admitting to Dartford magistrates in June 2007 that they had neglected their dog, Jake.

The couple said they didn't realise Jake was suffering.

The Hucks were also ordered to carry out 150 hours of supervised unpaid work each and to pay £1,306 each in costs and compensation.

Inspector Teresa Potter said: "We are pleased that Jake is no longer suffering and has been found a loving new home."