Lawrence Silver, 48, did not provide adequate nutrition to Esther, 2, or seek veterinary care due to hindlimb injuries, the court heard.
The dog was found at his home in Killing Hall, Harrogate on July 17 last year after concerns were raised by the RSPCA regarding the welfare of the dog at his address.
Silver was given a 12-week custody sentence, suspended for 12 months, when he appeared in York Magistrate's court on April 9th. He had previously pleaded guilty to one animal welfare law offence after investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.
He was also given two consecutive weeks of custody sentences suspended for unrelated offences, suspended for the same period.
The defendant told RSPCA inspector Emma Stenthorpe that he and the dog had both gone down the stairs three days ago, but that Esther had been limping ever since, but he thought she was getting better.
In her written statement to the court, the inspector said: “Mr. Silver brought Esther into the passageway with a three-color bull terrier cross. She was very thin. She could clearly see her spine, ribs and pelvic bones, and she had her left leg up behind.
“I said she looked very thin and Mr. Silver hadn't noticed it until I pointed it out. I explained that I was worried about her condition and asked if I could take her with me to see the vet.”
Esther was taken straight to a local veterinary practice by an inspector. The court was told she had passed a feces containing material on the way there.
The vet who examined her confirmed that she was suffering, and she was seized by police under the Animal Welfare Act and handed over to the care of the RSPCA.
In evidence to the court, the veterinarian said, “Ester was severely underweight on one of nine physical scores.
“Her ribs, spine and pelvic bones were visible and had minimal muscle mass. She was moderately stepping into her left hind legs, but she weighed.
“To reach this hypophysical condition score, she could have been deprived of appropriate food over a long period of time, and she could have been deprived of the underlying causes of her poor condition that the vet had investigated and addressed.
“If the food is completely withheld, this level of debilitating from normal body conditions takes at least three weeks. In this case, if Esther was given food to meet her nutritional requirements but not enough, the period of suffering can be much longer.”
The magistrate told Silver he was ordered to pay £400 and a victim surcharge of £154, but he refused to resolve Esther's pain and said he suffered for quite some time from malnutrition.
His lawyers said his client had no previous convictions and should have been given credit for his guilty plea and showed regret.
A court has also issued a stripping order regarding Esther, who remains in RSPCA care and is recovering.
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