A man who neglected his dog so badly she had to be put down has been banned from keeping animals for three years.

An RSPCA inspector described Alex McWilliams' pet Cleo "one of the thinnest" she has ever seen as she gave evidence against the 38-year-old owner at Highbury Magistrates' Court yesterday.

McWilliams, of Lissenden Gardens in Kentish Town, north London, was given a prison sentence of 18 weeks, suspended for 12 months.

He was also given a curfew with electronic tag from 8pm to 7am daily for four months, and made to pay costs of £250.

He was previously found guilty in his absence of offences under the Animal Welfare Act, in connection with causing unnecessary suffering to his registered female tan pitbull Cleo by failing to provide adequate veterinary care.

The RSPCA was called to his address in March after concerns were raised about a "very thin dog".

Inspectors from the charity described themselves as "incredibly shocked" when they arrived and saw Cleo, thought to be around 10 years old, because she was skinnier than they said they could have imagined.

RSPCA inspector Nicole Broster said: "She was one of the thinnest living dogs I have ever seen.

"I was horrified to see how thin and weak she was - I did not think it was possible that any living animal could be so underweight - she was merely skin and bone.

"We took her straight to the vets who tried everything they could to save her but after a few days said there was nothing they could do to ease her suffering and the kindest thing to do was put her to sleep to prevent further suffering.

"They confirmed she had been suffering from emaciation and chronic heart failure, with associated pulmonary disease. She also had painful overgrown nails and a chronic skin disease.

"It was so desperately sad to see how much pain she was in."

Investigations found that McWilliams had previously taken Cleo to a vet and was told to ensure treatment for her heart condition and fluid filled abdomen was continued. He did not return to the vet and Cleo went for two months without treatment, the spokeswoman said.