A PET dog had to be put down after being neglected by its owner.
German Shepherd Pippa was emaciated and covered in fleas when RSPCA inspectors visited her owner Mark Naylor's home in Orchard Park.
Naylor admitted causing unnecessary suffering to Pippa when he appeared at Hull Magistrates' Court. He could now be banned from keeping animals.
Inspector Hannah Bryer said: "Pippa was found in an appalling condition but sadly for me cases like this are far too familiar.
"She was extremely thin, her spine, hips and ribs were easily visible and protruding. Her coat was thin and some areas were virtually absent of hair. The skin appeared scaly and sore in some areas."
Miss Bryer visited Naylor's home in Isledane on February 10.
She said: "When Pippa was led downstairs, she began searching frantically for water before drinking from a bucket."
Pippa was taken to Swanbridge Veterinary Hospital in Swanland, where she was assessed by vet Giles Moore.
He said she was emaciated and weighed almost 7kg less than she would be expected to.
Mr Moore said: "This dog was in very poor body condition. Her ribs, hips and spine were all protruding with little fat and muscle coverage.
"Her coat was infested with fleas and significant flea dirt was evident throughout the coat.
"Her skin was inflamed, in some areas thickened and hyper pigmented. I suspected this to be as a result of flea allergic dermatitis.
"This skin condition will have been a source of persistent irritation and discomfort during that period which will have had a detrimental impact on her welfare.
"Had Pippa been routinely treated for fleas, the occurrence of this skin condition could have been avoided.
"Once the symptoms of scratching, hair loss or thinning had been noticed I would expect a reasonable owner to present their animal to a veterinary surgeon for treatment. Had this been done at an earlier stage, her suffering could have been alleviated sooner."
Mr Moore said the most humane option was to put Pippa to sleep after she became aggressive towards him – even after sedation – meaning he was unable to treat her.
Naylor agreed, saying he had previously been advised to have the dog put to sleep after she attacked another vet.
Miss Bryer is now urging pet owners to treat their animals for fleas and other parasites.
She said: "One of the most common pieces of advice I give to people while on welfare visits is to ensure that their pets are properly treated for parasites.
"Skin conditions caused by fleas and mites can be a cause of great distress to your pet but they are generally preventable."
