A Jack Russell terrier which suffered agonising burns after a pan of boiling water was thrown over it did not receive medical treatment for several days, a court heard.

The dog, Oz, suffered burns over ten per cent of its body and took three months to recover.

Nigel Heard, 40, of South Holmes Road, Roffey, Horsham, was found not guilty by the town's magistrates of causing unnecessary suffering to the dog by failing to provide the necessary treatment.

Heard, who denied the offence, said the dog belonged to another person, who he refused to name because he feared reprisals.

In an interview he said: "It's more than my life's worth to give you the name of the dog's real owner."

Vet Sarah Larcher said a saucepan or half a bucket of boiling water had been poured over the dog.

The court was told Oz had made a good recovery and had a new home but had been left scarred.