Kyla Martin made Poppy so emaciated he could barely stand
A dog was so neglected that it was thought he ate part of his own tail in desperation.
Two-year-old Whippet-lurcher cross Poppy was eventually taken to the vet because she was so thin she could barely stand and was covered in lesions.
Her owner Kayla Martin, 31, said her pet lost a lot of weight in one to two weeks but refused to pay for the blood test, saying she would rather put Poppy to sleep than undergo treatment.
Vets then called the RSPCA who brought Poppy into their care in January.
RSPCA inspector Natalie Perehovsky said: "It is clear from the serious condition of Poppy that she has not been receiving proper care for some time."
Martin admitted she had not taken Poppy to the vet before because she could not afford it .
“We always urge people who are experiencing financial difficulties to seek help as there are many organizations that can provide support,” Natalie said.
Poppy has now recovered and is looking for a new home
Kayla Martin on the sidelines
The second veterinarian who examined Poppy on January 13 said: "The most significant and dramatic changes affected Poppy's skin.
"Due to muscle mass Poor, the skin was torn on all her bony areas (mainly her pelvis) and the tip of her tail was missing.
"It is unclear whether the tail injury was due to trauma or self-inflicted (due to extreme hunger), and the coccyx (the bone within the tail) is exposed.
"The most obvious abnormality is a large abscess on Poppy's back, on her thoracic spine.
"It was about 5cm in diameter, filled with fluid and uncomfortable to touch. The skin in the area of the abscess was necrotic.
North Staffordshire Justice Center heard that Poppy's health score was only one out of nine - — Minimal emaciation.
Natalie said: “I have no doubt that Poppy suffered needlessly because of neglect and inadequate care by her owners.
"Poppy experienced starvation, a lack of protection from danger (because she was exposed to other dogs that hurt her) and a lack of veterinary care.
The poppy was also covered in lesions
"There were no underlying health issues that could have caused these changes. "
Martin, of Burslem, Staffordshire, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to Poppy.
Last Thursday she was given a 12-month community order and banned from keeping animals for three years.
Martin She was also ordered to pay £600 costs and two other dogs she owned were confiscated and rehomed.
Poppy was cared for by charity Alsager Animals in Need in Cheshire and she has since made a miraculous recovery.
The charity is now appealing for a kind-hearted owner to come forward and offer Poppy her forever home.
The charity's assistant animal coordinator Lisa Williams said: "We are very worried about Poppy first. Unable to make it through the night the first time she came to our care, she has battled a number of other health issues since then, including a perforated eardrum, two partial tail amputations, the removal of two cysts on her nipples, and She had ongoing skin problems.
"But through all of this she has been the perfect patient and has never complained once.
' The light has really returned to her eyes and her loving aura wins over all who meet her.
"She loves Being touched and fussed over, she's just a real sweetheart. "
