In April 2019, police visited the man's property and found two dogs, a five-year-old brindle Great Dane named Redley and a smaller dog.

Redley was discovered in poor shape with his ribs, spine and hips protruding, and police filed a cruelty report to the RSPCA.

Two RSPCA inspectors visited the property, in Orelia, and seized Redley and the other dog.

The RSPCA says the owner told inspectors he thought Redley was sick but could not afford to take him to the vet, saying he was trying to "build him back up" by feeding the Great Dane once or twice a day.

Redley was later assessed by a vet, who determined he had suffered prolonged starvation resulting in his highly emaciated state, with severe muscle wastage across his body, an ear infection, hip dysplasia and a flea infection.

The RSPCA treated and cared for Redley for more than a month, but he was euthanised on humane grounds.

Redley's 36-year-old owner, who now lives in South Australia, was convicted of animal cruelty at Rockingham Magistrates Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty, the RSPCA said in a statement.

The court found the man did not provide proper and sufficient food to Redley, and said the dog had suffered harm which could have been alleviated if the owner took reasonable steps.

"Redley was meant to be a loved pet. Instead he was left to starve and suffer over a long period of time. The sheer neglect is hard to comprehend. Please, if you can't look after your animals, ask for help," RSPCA WA's Hannah Dreaver said.

Australian Associated Press