A woman has been banned from keeping animals for ten years after neglecting a dog found close to death from starvation and thirst.

Fiona Cuthill previously pleaded guilty to failing to provide adequate nutrition for her dog Snoop at her home in Plean, Stirlingshire.

The 31-year-old was also fined £500 for the neglect, which was discovered after a call to the Scottish SPCA helpline in November 2015.

Inspector Louise Seddon, of the animal charity, said: "We received a report to our animal helpline that there was a dog at the property which was very thin and shaking, and looked like it was dying.

"When I arrived I found Snoop in extremely thin condition and all his bones, especially his ribs and pelvic bones, were very prominent.

"He was in a semi-collapsed state and was only able to stand with difficulty when lifted. It was clear Snoop needed immediate veterinary attention and as he was barely able to walk I had to carry him to my van."

Ms Seddon said a vet found Snoop, who weighed just 5.8kg when found, to be severely emaciated and seriously dehydrated and put him on fluids with little chance of survival.

After six weeks of treatment, Snoop eventually recovered and grew to a healthy weight of 14.2kg.

Ms Seddon added: "It was the vet's view that, due to the level of dehydration, without water Snoop would likely have died within a few days and with water death would have occurred within two weeks due to starvation.

"The vet advised that Snoop had been caused significant prolonged suffering by starvation and or chronic undernourishment over many months."

The charity worker praised the decision of sheriff Gilchrist at Stirling Sheriff Court.

Snoop has now been given to a new owner.