The SPCA says it's recommending animal cruelty charges against a man after finding a dog described as a "walking skeleton" in Maple Ridge, B.C.
The starving golden retriever named Trooper was dropped off at an SPCA branch on Feb. 28 by a man who claimed he found the dog by the side of the road.
Eileen Drever of the Society says in her 30-year career she's never seen a dog so emaciated, estimating it was about a third of its normal weight of 30 to 34 pounds.
She says Trooper was literally wasting away and was so thin she doesn't know how he managed to stand.
Despite his condition, Trooper is friendly and playful, although the Society says it will be several months before he's well enough to be adopted out.
Ms. Drever says the SPCA investigation managed to identify the owner, who has surrendered legal custody of the dog to the society, which will be submitting a report to Crown counsel recommending charges.