A WOMAN who was asked to look after her friend’s dog has been fined – after she sold the animal on Facebook.

Instead of keeping the Jack Russell- cross dog safe, Emelia Anne Flint, 23, put it up for sale on the internet auction site, pocketed the £20 winning bid and handed the animal over, said Martin Butterworth, prosecuting at York Magistrates Court.

When owner Gemma Cousans arrived to collect her dog, Flint told her it had run off as was being taken out for a walk. But Ms Cousans found out the truth that her pet had been auctioned through the internet and contacted police.

Flint’s solicitor, Jane Maloney, said: “She says there was a discussion with the owner of the dog wanting to get rid of the dog. She says the owner said: “If you know anyone who wants a dog...’”

District judge Adrian Lower told Flint: “This was a very mean offence. It was none of your business to offer the dog for sale. That was entirely a matter for Ms Cousans.

“Selling on other people’s property is not the way you want to live your life.”

The offence breached the trust that Ms Cousans had placed in Flint, who had duped the dog’s buyer.

Flint, 23, of Wilberforce Avenue, Clifton, pleaded guilty to theft and was fined £100 and ordered to pay £20 compensation to the person who bought the dog, a £20 statutory surcharge and £85 prosecution costs. She had no previous convictions.

Mr Butterworth said the dog had been tracked down and returned to its rightful owner, but the purchaser had lost the £20 she had paid for it.

Ms Maloney said Flint apologised for her actions. She lived on benefits.