A starved dog called Scooby who was neglected for so long that his fur became long and hard and who had maggots eating into his flesh has been adopted after being rescued.
Hard-to-watch footage shows the dog with its heavily matted fur and horrific wounds, barely able to move, before it was rescued and treated, with other images showing Scooby looking an entirely different pooch after he was fed and cleaned.
Scooby was rescued from his 47-year-old owner, who was not named, after he was found living in horrible conditions in the Praia de Iracema neighbourhood of Fortaleza, in Brazil, in March.
Picture shows Scooby after he was rescued in Fortaleza, Brazil, undated. He was adopted. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@apa_fortaleza/Newsflash/NX)
Now just two weeks after being rescued, Scooby has a new owner and is looking much better after animal lovers removed three kilogrammes (6.6 lbs) of dirty fur from his body.
Local reports said that Scooby is a poodle-mutt mixed breed and is about 14 years old.
He was adopted by activist Stefani Rodrigues, who is part of the group Angels of Animal Protection (APA).
Picture shows Scooby before and after he was rescued in Fortaleza, Brazil, undated. He was adopted. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@apa_fortaleza/Newsflash/NX)
His previous owner is set to face trial for animal cruelty and could face a sentence of two to five years if convicted.
(Joseph Golder/newsX)