Dog Reduced to ‘Walking Skeleton’ After Being Starved for Weeks by Owners
After being starved for six weeks, a dog in the UK was left with only skin and bones.
Lola, a dog from Wigan, Greater Manchester, had her ribs, leg bones, and spine clearly visible after being deliberately starved by her owners, Jennifer Plater (39) and Michael Knight (40).
The couple failed to appear in court to face charges related to animal cruelty. A judge has issued an arrest warrant for the pair and warned they could face an additional four months in jail.
Prosecutor Tony Stock stated that the case came to light after neighbors contacted the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) due to Lola’s alarming weight loss.
“They said they could see every bone in her body — Lola was painfully thin,” Stock said.
At the Wigan & Leigh Magistrates’ Court, RSPCA investigator Vicky McDonald recalled: “When I picked Lola up and put her into the car, I was shocked by how light she was — she weighed almost nothing.”
Veterinarian Angus McKenzie, who examined Lola, confirmed that the dog had been severely dehydrated and starved for at least six weeks, possibly longer.
Lola was taken into RSPCA care on December 14 last year, weighing only 15.5 kg. By January 29, after receiving proper care and feeding, she had reached a healthy 21.4 kg, according to prosecutor Stock.
The couple is being prosecuted for causing unnecessary suffering to their pet and for failing to provide adequate care, including access to clean water.
Now, thanks to the RSPCA, Lola has found a safe and happy new home.