Colin Clark, 35, left the male dog aged around 10 tethered to a post because he didn't know what to do with the sick animal.

 

At an earlier hearing fiscal depute Neil Allan told Edinburgh Sheriff Court: "It became apparent to the girlfriend of the accused that his dog appeared to be underweight and had an obvious growth on a front paw.

 

"The accused said he did not know what was wrong with it and intended to take it to a vet."

 

But two days later a lady found the dog tethered to a fence and police and a vet were alerted.

 

Mr Allan said: "It was immediately obvious the dog was emaciated and unsteady on its feet.

 

"It was 25 per cent below a healthy weight, highly dehydrated and had a large cancerous growth on its left front paw.

 

"It transpired the cancer had spread and the dog was put down.

 

"When the accused was tracked down he admitted abandoning the dog saying he didn't know what to do with it.

 

"He said he didn't want to take it to the vet because he was embarrassed and concerned the police might become involved.

 

"He told the police he was depressed."

 

Clark, of Wester Close, Edinburgh, admitted causing a dog unnecessary suffering and abandoning it on 19 June last year at Edinburgh's Trinity Road.

 

Defence agent Brian Gilfedder said: "It was a most unpleasant offence and you will see the dog had to be put down."

 

He said Clark had been seen by a community nurse five days after the incident.

 

"He was very low and lacking in self esteem.

 

"He could hardly persuade himself to get out of bed.

 

"Nevermind looking after the dog properly, he could not look after himself properly," said Mr Gilfedder.

 

The lawyer added Clark, a first offender, had the dog for a number of years and its disease coincided with the mood of depression he had fallen into.

 

But the court heard Clark was now being treated for his depression and was feeling better.

 

Sheriff James Scott deferred sentence for six months and ordered Clark not to have charge of any animal in the meantime.

 

He warned him that if there was any re-offending, "particularly any ill treatment of animals" he would be dealt with very firmly.

 

Clark said "Thank you" to the sheriff and added: "I'm sorry".