A man abandoned his ill, emaciated dog by chaining the pet to the fence of an animal sanctuary in freezing weather, a court heard.
Stephen Joyce was found guilty in his absence at Leicester Magistrates' Court of seven cruelty charges – two of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and five of failing to ensure an animal's welfare.
Kevin McCole, prosecuting for the RSPCA, told magistrates that at 5.10pm on February 5 this year Abi Tobin, who runs the Redgate Farm Animal Sanctuary, Shaw Lane, Markfield, received a call telling her there was a dog tied to her gate.
He said: "She went and saw the dog tied with a choke-chain and lead. It was a black male Staffordshire bull terrier with a docked tail.
"The dog was starving, malnourished. He seemed petrified and very keen to get inside."
Ms Tobin put water and food down and contacted the RSPCA, where a vet found the animal was emaciated, his skin was yellowish, with a very thin coat, fleas, multiple sores and small abscesses.
Mr McCole said the state of the animal's skin suggested had been kept in unsuitable, dirty conditions.
He added: "When first taken in the dog weighed 15kg but, five weeks later he was 22.5kg, which is normal and he showed a marked improvement."
RSPCA officers traced the dog's owner – Joyce (30), of Belvoir Road, Coalville – by a microchip implant and learned the animal's name was Charlie.
Joyce told them he was going through "issues in his life" and suffered from depression.
Mr McCole said Joyce admitted to inspectors that he had not taken Charlie for any veterinary treatment and was unaware that he was eligible for help from the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals."
"He said he had never thought of contacting any animal welfare organisations for help and pride had got in the way – he could only apologise."
Charlie has made a full recovery and is up for adoption at Redgate Farm.
After the hearing, Ms Tobin said: "He was very lucky on that night that my work overran and I received the phone call. He was extremely emaciated and cold."
Joyce did not attend the court hearing on Thursday. A warrant has been issued for him to attend court for sentencing.
