A starving dog was left for dead on a pile of rubbish with the horrific discovery bringing animal rescuers to tears.
Atticus, a five-year-old Staghound, was found infested with fleas and lice and in an emaciated condition in Melbourne's northwest on June 21.
He weighed less than half his recommended weight when he was brought into the Lost Dogs Home where he is receiving life-saving treatment.
Lost Dogs Homes' director Dr Jessica Wilde told the Herald Sun she believes Atticus had been starved for over six weeks.
'Horrific is the only the word to describe it, it's a devastating sight to see,' she said.
It's not known when Atticus was left for dead and Dr Wilde said the will to live of the dog is extraordinary, after he probably had to eat dirt to survive.
When he arrived at the Lost Dogs Home, Atticus was unable to eat, stand, or even lift his head up, but he is now able to stand on his own.
Atticus is still unable to clean himself, eat or drink without assistance.
He is being cared for in a dedicated room, covered in blankets and looked after by a foster carer each night.
Dr Wilde said even after being inflicted with such sickening abuse, Atticus has a kind spirit and is showing glimpses of a friendliness.
'Every time we walk in, his tail starts wagging and he's trying his best to sit up and interact,' she said.
Although there are positive signs, Atticus has a long road of recovery ahead of him and will remain in the care of the Lost Dogs Home for the next few months.
Dr Wilde said the condition of Atticus had left staff in tears.
'The most difficult part of our job is that so many of the dogs that end up here have been let down by the people that were meant to love them,' she said.
'They just want to be loved.'
Dr Wilde said due to cost-of-living pressures, the Lost Dogs Home and other animal shelters have seen an increase in pets being surrendered, but 'there is no excuse' for cases like Atticus.
Dr Wilde told the ABC the rise in numbers can also be attributed to 'pandemic pets' bought during the Covid pandemic being surrendered, as people stopped working from home and resumed their normal lives.
The ABC reported the shelter recorded a 44 per cent increase to the total number of animals surrendered between 2021 and 2023 — 1,981 surrendered last year alone.