Saima Bi, 26, and Kiran Hussain, 19, refused to allow their pet Bella into their home, choosing instead to lock it in a sweltering and dirty car outside the house.
The skeletal Staffordshire bull terrier type dog was discovered cowering in the vehicle and lying in its own faeces.
It is thought shaken Bella could have been living in the putrid vehicle for up to two weeks and after being rescued the dog was so dehydrated she had to be put on a drip for 48 hours.
When an RSPCA investigator found Bella after receiving a tip-off, she was convinced the dog was dead due to its emaciated state.
The defendants pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to Bella and not giving her a suitable place to live at Bradford Magistrates’ Court.
They were ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work in a 12-month community order and 15 days of a low-level activity requirement.
They will also have to pay £260 each towards the case’s costs.
The court heard that Hussain had bought the dog off someone she didn't know in her street at the start of July, and had kept her a few weeks before the authorities were alerted.
The court was told how a member of the public tipped off the RSPCA on July 17 after noticing the dog in a sweltering car parked outside Bi and Hussain’s then home in East Squire Lane, Manningham, Bradford.
When RSPCA Inspector Sarah Briscoe went to investigate, she discovered Bella curled up on the seat and immediately thought the animal was dead.
But the traumatised animal was eventually taken into care and is now doing well.
Prosecutor Nigel Monaghan told the court that the smell in the car had been 'overwhelming' and that Miss Briscoe had 'never in all her experience seen a dog so thin'.
He said: 'The dog was almost skeletal with rib and hip bones sticking up clearly visible, faeces was all over the car and there were flies.
'What happened to the dog has traumatised the dog so much that it soils itself if it gets near a car.'
After being rescued Bella is showing great improvement but because she was tied to the handbrake she can be afraid of her lead.
Despite the dog's deteriorated state, Bi initially insisted that she wanted to keep Bella because she was a guard dog.
She also told investigators that she loved the dog but eventually agreed to sign her over to the RSPCA to find a new home.
Defending solicitor Zanfar Khan said her clients held their hands up to show 'remorse and upset'.
Mr Khan said Hussain had bought the dog for £50 although she was expecting a puppy and had initially kept Bella in the house.
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| Saima Bi and Kiran Hussain |
He said that the dog would become violent towards her and she feared for her budgies.
Hussain, who was pregnant at the time, said that Bella would get in the car outside and it would be hard to get her out again.
Mrs Khan added: 'She holds her hands up and she should have sought help and done more for Bella.
'They are apologetic and upset about the trauma and suffering that Bella has
gone through.'
Speaking after the case Insp Briscoe said: 'She is absolutely a superstar, everyone loves her.
'Bella was the thinnest dog I had ever seen, by far. You think you have seen it all but this was one of those jobs that sticks with you.
'I'm happy she has been signed over and can be rehomed as soon as we are able to and I am happy they have been disqualified from keeping animals.
Hussain and Bi will also have to pay a contribution to the costs of the case.
(DailyMail - Nov 21, 2012)
