A callous woman who starved her dog called Coco to death has been banned from keeping pets for life.

Garineh Azarian, 53, of Kingston Upon Thames, was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to the one-year-old Havanese who an RSPCA inspector said was "the thinnest dog" she'd ever seen.

Azarian took Coco to a vet last October due to lethargy and vomiting, but would not let the vets give him antibiotics when they were made aware of his painfully emaciated condition.

The vet gave him a body condition score of just one out of nine.

The vet gave him a body condition score of just one out of nine. (Photo: SWNS)

RSPCA inspectors Francesca Tambini and Dale Grant attended the vet practice with a view to getting Coco seized into the possession of police.

But, shortly after they arrived, Coco passed away.

Francesca said: "When we arrived, I thought that the dog looked dead already.

"There was a blanket over him, so that his head was visible and it appeared to be on some sort of drip supplement.

"It was upsetting to see the dog, as it was the thinnest dog I have ever seen.

"When the blanket was pulled back, the ribs on the dog were visibly protruding and he was missing quite a lot of fur.

"The dog looked like a skeleton. A few minutes after we arrived, the dog passed away.

When the RSPCA inspectoprs arrived, they thought Cocoa was dead already. (Photo: SWNS)

Veterinary staff tried to resuscitate poor Coco but were sadly unsuccessful. One vet was extremely upset and crying."

A vet that treated Coco said: "We were concerned that Coco could not have had appropriate veterinary care in the past given the extreme condition of the dog.

"Despite the investigation and intensive treatment that Coco had with us, I believe that he was suffering prior to arrival and it was far too late to be able to save him."

When RSPCA inspectors interviewed Azarian she told them she followed a raw food and plant based diet for the dog.

She claimed she had been feeding him three per cent of his presumed body weight of three kilos since March 2022.

Azarian believed his scratching was due to overeating and acid in his diet, and that the hair and weight loss was a normal response to detoxing.

She also stated she does not believe in vaccinations, antibiotics or worming.

Post mortem examination supports that chronic malnutrition resulting in emaciation of the animal which had not been investigated resulted in the pet's death. (Photo: SWNS)

Following Coco's death, a vet said: "Post mortem examination supports that chronic malnutrition resulting in emaciation of the animal which had not been investigated resulted in the pet's death.

"There was also evidence of a high lungworm burden which is a preventable disease with the use of routine worming treatments.

"In my opinion, the dog's needs were not being met as per the DEFRA code - the owner failed to recognise signs of malnutrition/weight loss/poor condition, and seek veterinary advice within a reasonable time frame or make adequate provisions which allowed their condition to deteriorate, and ultimately caused suffering and death."

Azarian pleaded not guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to Coco. She did not accept that Coco suffered or accept responsibility for his condition.

But she was found guilty of the offence at Wimbledon Magistrates Court on Friday 22 September.

The court heard in mitigation that Azarian was of previous good character and was a "vulnerable" person

Sentencing her, the magistrate said that veterinary evidence clearly showed Coco did suffer, and with the right intervention he could have survived and lived for a number of years.

Azarian was banned indefinitely from keeping animals and made subject to a 12-month community order to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work.

She was also ordered to pay £1,150 prosecution costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

RSPCA dog welfare expert, Sam Gaines, said: "Dogs need to eat a diet suitable for their age, lifestyle and health status and should be fed at least once a day, unless advised otherwise by a vet.

"We'd recommend feeding a complete dog food to ensure it meets your dog's nutritional needs.

"Further information on dog nutrition is available on the UK Pet Food website.

"If you are unsure what the best diet for your pet is it's a good idea to speak to your vet for advice."