A lucky-to-be-alive puppy has had an amazing transformation after being starved by her cruel owner.
Nala was so skinny all her ribs could be seen through her fur.
The 11-month-old could only stand for 30 seconds at a time before falling over.
Her sick former owner, Toni Rowland, 26, was banned from keeping animals for five years for the way she treated her.
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She was found in a flirty cage in her home in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear.
RSPCA inspector, Kirsty Keogh-Laws said Nala was the thinnest dog she’d ever seen alive.
She was looked after at the Vets Now in the town, then the animal charity’s centre in Chester-le-Street.
But, Beth Atkinson has now adopted her and re-named her Penny.
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The white American Bulldog now looks like a different dog after she has cared for him.
Beth, 27, said: “She’s my world.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better companion, she is always happy and wagging her tail.
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“She has brought so much joy and laughter to my life.”
She added: “When I first adopted her she’d eat her food in about one mouthful, probably wondering where the next meal was coming from.
“She’s definitely slowed down now, knowing she’ll be fed again.
Beth added: “She absolutely loves going to the dog park, the beach and out for long walks.
“She has two cat friends too, who she loves.
“She’s the sweetest girl in the world, she adores everyone she meets, including other dogs.
“About 8pm she settles on the sofa and waits to go up to bed to sleep, and there’s nothing better than seeing her wagging tail in the morning when I wake up.”
Cops were called to a house in Gateshead on 27 August last year.
Nala, as she was then known, was found in a cage in a bedroom and rushed to the vet.
She was then handed over to the RSPCA on 29 August, as reported by What’s The Jam.
Rowland admitted two animal welfare offences and was sentenced on 9 April at South Tyneside Magistrates Court.
Insp Keogh-Laws said in her evidence: “She was desperately skinny and I was able to see every bone in her body.
“Her rib cage was visibly protruding from her body and I could count the bones along her spine.
“She was unable to stand for longer than around 30 seconds or so without falling to the ground.”
One vet added: “Her body condition would lead me to think she hadn’t been fed appropriately and suffered from hunger for weeks to months.”
Inps, Keogh-Laws added: “Without a doubt, she was the thinnest dog I have ever seen alive.
“If it hadn’t been for the quick actions of the police officers who found her, she wouldn’t have survived much longer.
“To see Penny now in her new home, transformed and living her best life with Beth, is just incredible.”
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