RSPCA inspectors helped two hungry dogs by posting food through the letterbox of a house where they had been left, a court heard.
The charity had been tipped off about Staffordshire bull terriers Rosy and Tyson who were finally rescued when owner Julia Feakes, 50, returned to her home on October 15.
By that time, the RSPCA had noted the pair were "severely underweight" with parts of their skeletons visible through fur, some of which had been scratched away.
A vet felt "their period of suffering had been at least a month,"
John Sutcliffe, prosecuting, told magistrates in Derby the dogs were dehydrated and "drank excessively" when taken to a vet.
Rosy weighed 8.5kg, while the vet said she should have been at least 14kg.
Tyson was 12.3kg instead of the expected 18 kilos.
But the pair made a good recovery and have now been rehomed.
The court heard that the first house visit was made on October 6 after "a complaint about two animals."
The officer put markers on the doors but these were unbroken when he returned a day later and saw the dogs trapped inside.
One had a "swollen belly" when it came to a back window but he saw "only a brief glimpse" of the other pet.
"The house was appallingly filthy, with lots of faeces and rubbish all over it," said Mr Sutcliffe.
Officers continued to make visits between October 8 and 14, with Feakes returning the following day.
She told the RSPCA she stopped living there because the electricity had been cut off.
"Mrs Feakes said the house was in a bit of a mess, which was something of an understatement.
"The smell was such that it made the inspector's eyes water," added Mr Sutcliffe.
Feakes told the RSPCA that she had been in hospital.
Feakes of Kingsway, Ilkeston failed to attend court but was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering.
The case was adjourned for three weeks to await a probation report.
