The discovery of an emaciated dog led to a Hernando woman's arrest on animal cruelty charges, officials said.
Rebecca Jean Johnson, 35, was arrested Tuesday on a misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty.
According to the Citrus County Sheriff's Office, a citizen had called in a tip about a dog at Johnson's home that looked "extremely skinny and not doing well."
An animal control officer responded to the home and described the dog, named Mia, as one of the most emaciated he had ever seen, officials said. According to the arrest affidavit, the dog had lost subcutaneous fat and muscle throughout the body, and that it was caused by severe malnourishment and starvation.
When Mia was given food, she devoured every bite she was given, the animal control officer said. Officials said Johnson said she hadn't taken the dog to a veterinarian in more than five years.
Officials said the pit bull mix is between 15 and 16 years old and weighs 27 pounds. Johnson reportedly told deputies that when healthy, Mia only weighs about 40 pounds, and that she goes down in weight around this time of year. She also told deputies that she fed and watered Mia every day.
Johnson was placed under arrest and taken to the Citrus County Detention Center. Bond was set at $1,000.