Two tiny dogs who were abandoned outside a supermarket are looking for new loving homes.
It comes after their previous owner was found guilty of animal cruelty and banned from keeping canines indefinitely.
Chihuahuas Mylo and Lilly were tied up and left with skin infections and serious dental issues, before the RSPCA rescued them.
Inspector Amy McIntosh, who collected the two dogs, said: "I'm really pleased with the outcome of this case. These dogs have been in our care for such a long time now.
"They are lovely friendly little dogs and I'm so pleased they will now be able to find the new homes they deserve."
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When Inspector McIntosh picked up the two dogs, she immediately noticed that Mylo, a male tan chihuahua, had a skin condition - as his skin was thickened, scabby and bleeding.
He also had obvious fur loss and pinkness around his eyes and nose, and he was biting and scratching his body.
Lilly, a black and white female chihuahua, had very smelly breath due to dental issues but otherwise looked in normal body condition.
Both dogs were taken to a vet who examined them and prescribed them with the necessary treatments and procedures.
Microchips enabled Inspector McIntosh to find their owner, a man named Stephen Hopkinson, from Fleetwood in Lancashire.
In November 2021, Hopkinson was sentenced to four weeks in custody after he was found guilty of three animal welfare offences and sentenced at Lancaster Magistrates' Court.
On March 25, his indefinite ban from keeping dogs was reduced to five years on appeal and he was ordered to pay £500 costs.
He was ordered to pay a £96 victim surcharge and a deprivation order was passed for both dogs which will allow the RSPCA to find them a new home.
The court heard how, when questioned the following day, Hopkinson told Inspector McIntosh he had returned to the supermarket to get the dogs that morning.
This meant that had the dogs not been rescued by the passer-by, they would have potentially been tied up outside for nearly 24 hours.
Thankfully, both dogs are now healthy and happy and are ready to be rehomed.
If you would like to rehome Mylo or Lilly, please get in touch with the RSPCA.
Do you have a dog story to tell? Contact nia.dalton@reachplc.com.
