Horrific photos show the squalid balcony where a dog named Milk was starved to DEATH

A university student has been jailed for leaving his Maremma Sheepdog named Milk to starve to death on his balcony.

Horrific photos show the shockingly underweight animal lying in filth when she was found dead by inspectors at Zetland in Sydney’s inner-east in June last year. 

Hongyou Zou, 25, was sentenced in Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday. 

The balcony was covered in faeces and dog hair.

Milk’s body was taken to the RSPCA Sydney Veterinary Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

The exam found the dog had no fat on her body and she had severe muscle atrophy.

Her bones were protruding and she had an extreme abdominal tuck.   

Maggots covered Milk’s body, as well as blood and faeces.

She weighed just over 10kg when she was found – a third of the minimum standard weight for her breed, size and gender. 

The vet determined emaciation was the cause of death and it is believed she wasn’t given food for at least three months before she died. 

Severe dehydration is also believed to be a factor. 

She was severely emaciated and the balcony was covered in faeces and dog hair

Her owner let her condition deteriorate for two months – in which time Zou could have taken her to the vet, the court heard. 

Between July 8 and October 10 inspectors from the RSPCA tried to speak with the University of New South Wales student repeatedly.

The following month they were given evidence to prove he was Milk’s owner before charging him.   

Zou was jailed for 16 months, with a non-parole period of eight months, on the charge of aggravated cruelty.

She weighed just over ten kilograms when she was found – a third of the minimum standard weight for her breed, size and gender

He was handed an additional four months for not taking Milk to the vet, which would be served concurrently.

Zou is also banned from owning an animal for a decade.

Judge Henson said this case was at the top end of animal abuse and called the man’s actions ‘egregious’ and ‘wicked’.

The judge added that the community would be ‘sickened and appalled’ by the case. 

RSPCA NSW Chief Inspector Scott Meyers called the man’s behaviour ‘inexcusable’. 

Her owner is believed to have let her condition deteriorate for two months – in which time he could have taken her to the vet

‘This dog starved to death, alone, on a cold balcony, surrounded by her own urine and faeces. She had nothing but a cardboard box,’ he said.

‘It was a cruel, needless death. Pet owners are responsible for the lives and welfare of their animals.

‘This sentence reflects community expectations that serious animal cruelty offenders will be punished.’

Mr Meyers added it is important people educate themselves on the needs of a dog. 

‘A Maremma Sheepdog is a working breed, and requires plenty of space and exercise, and a small balcony in a city was not an appropriate home for this type of dog,’ he said.