A BALLINGRY man caused considerable suffering to animals, a Court heard.

Appearing at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court for sentence on Tuesday, Paul Kyle was told by Sheriff Alistair Thornton that he had admitted five charges of appalling neglect to animals.

Kyle admitted causing suffering to his dog Mercury by failing to provide care and treatment and not obtaining advice or treatment from a vet over the dog's poor body and health conditions. He also admitted abandoning Mercury in such circumstances as were likely to cause the animal unnecessary suffering and vet's advice on face and neck injuries plus failing to provide adequate nutrition and water.

Kyle further admitted abandoning his cats, Mars and Jupiter, and failed to provide ventilation, nutrition and hydration and suitable facilities for the cats to urinate and defecate and suitable rest areas.

The Court had been told that Kyle, of Martin Crescent, called the SSPCA on the evening of May 1 because he had been 'very upset' by finding Mercury dead.

Sheriff Thornton told Kyle that the details of the case were 'appalling' with the neglect 'quite extreme' and he banned him from owning any pets for life. He was also ordered to do 270 hours of unpaid work.