A cute Pomeranian was so badly looked after that she weighed the same as a loaf of bread.
The tiny pooch – called Munchkin – was found collapsed.
She weighed less than half of the ideal weight for her breed.
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Four-year-old Munchkin tipped the scales at just 1.8lb (800g).
Dogs like her should weigh between 3lb and 7lb (1.36kg to 3.18kg).
Rescuers thought she was dead when they found her at owner Lisa Radford’s home.
The fashionable breed is popular with celebrities like Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie.
She was saved on 2 February and taken into the care of the RSPCA.
A spokesperson for the animal charity said: “Munchkin weighed just 800g.
“Around the weight of a loaf of bread.”
Radford, 39, of Crown Road, Sutton, pleaded guilty to an Animal Welfare Act offence at Wimbledon JPs, as reported on Need To Know.
She admitted failing to meet the needs of her dog, following the prosecution brought by the RSPCA.
In a statement to the court, RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Louis Horton said: “Munchkin was very underweight.
“Her hips and ribs were very prominent – I could feel every rib bone – and she was extremely nervous.
“The vet told me that Munchkin was so lifeless on arrival, she initially thought she was dead.”
In mitigation, the court heard that Radford had recently suffered the loss of her mother.
She was also caring full-time for her youngest child with complex needs and had expressed remorse for her actions.
Following the sentencing, RSPCA Inspector Leanna Hone said: “This case is a stark reminder of the welfare problems that can occur when animals’ basic needs are not met.
“We urge anyone concerned about an animal’s welfare to contact the RSPCA immediately.”
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