These heartbreaking images show the torture an emaciated dog endured under the hands of his cruel owner.
Fly the lurcher had to be put down by a vet who described the poor creature as suffering with the worst case of starvation he had ever seen.
The dog was discovered in a pitiful state by the RSPCA after a tip-off on October 20 last year from a concerned member of the public.
Her owner David Lowe, 33, from Farnworth, Bolton, is now facing a possible six month jail sentence or a fine of up to £20,000, as well as a possible ban on keeping pets for life.
He was summoned to appear at Bolton Magistrates’ Court on February 24, but failed to turn up.
Nonetheless, his absence didn’t absolve him from responsibility as it was proven that he had caused Fly undue suffering by neglecting to seek veterinary care. Upon discovery, Fly exhibited distressing symptoms including an oral abscess, severely overgrown nails, advanced dental disease, and oozing discharge from a sinus beneath its eye. In court, it was revealed that the dog was not only dehydrated but also scored a zero on the “body condition scale,” with a rating of one indicating extreme emaciation.
Fly was immediately signed over to RSPCA care, but because of her “cumulative conditions”, the only humane course of action was to put her to sleep.