Judith Sharp pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to four Chihuahuas, two of which died, in a case brought by the RSPCA.

Aylesbury magistrates heard that the two bodies and two surviving dogs were found at Sharp's address in Great Kimble, in November 2008. A vet discovered that the two female dogs had died from starvation and were emaciated, with a huge number of fleas. A male dog and another female were very thin and also had massive flea infestations.

The vet concluded that the dogs had suffered for at least two weeks due to a lack of adequate nutrition.

The defendant's ill health and inability to cope with the animals were cited in mitigation.

RSPCA inspector Martin Rivett said: "This was a simple case of the dogs' owner not being able to cope. We had given advice and help in the past but although there was an improvement at first, the situation deteriorated and we were again alerted to welfare problems.

"The dogs were not being cared for and the two that died suffered a slow and painful ordeal. We believe that the ban was the right outcome to prevent other animals from suffering in future."