AN ALSATIAN dog lay dead in a flat for 10 days after its cruel owner left it to perish in agony without food or water.

The all-white dog, called Snowy, licked condensation from the window in a desperate attempt to get moisture.

Paisley Sheriff Court was told a post mortem showed the dog had no body fat, no traces of food in its stomach and had lost two-thirds of its body weight.

As reported in later editions of last night's Evening Times, the dog had been shut in a room in the flat, with the door tied with string and wool to keep it from escaping.

By the time worried neighbours raised the alarm it was too late and the dog had already died of starvation.

Shocked police and animal welfare inspectors found the dead female dog in the council flat in Paisley's Ferguslie Park area.

Neighbours in Blackstoun Oval had alerted police, concerned for the well-being of the tenant - Andrea Smiley - and reported a foul stench coming from the property.

When police broke into the flat last October 1, they found the emaciated dog dead in the room, with the floor covered in faeces.

The dog weighed just 10.5kg - a healthy dog of that breed should weigh 35kg.

Smiley, 28, now of Well Street, Paisley, last month pleaded guilty to causing her pet unnecessary suffering, which led to its death. Sheriff George Kavanagh deferred sentence, calling for reports.

When she returned to court yesterday, it was revealed she had failed to meet social workers for reports to be compiled.

Sheriff Kavanagh ordered Smiley to face court again on May 22. He warned: "If she doesn't turn up next time, I will lock her up."