Heartbreaking detail behind this photo of a dog abandoned by his owner in Melbourne

A starving dog was left for dead on a pile of garbage, leaving animal rescuers in tears.

Atticus, a five-year-old Staghound, was found in Melbourne’s northwest on June 21, infested with fleas and lice and in an emaciated condition.

He weighed less than half his recommended weight when he was taken to the Lost Dogs Home, where he is receiving life-saving treatment.

Lost Dogs Homes Director Dr. Jessica Wilde told the Herald Sun She thinks Atticus has been hungry for over six weeks.

“Horrible is the only word to describe it, it is a devastating sight,” she said.

It is not known when Atticus was left for dead. According to Dr. Wilde, the dog’s will to live is extraordinary, as he probably had to eat dirt to survive.

When Atticus arrived at the Lost Dogs Home, he couldn’t eat, stand, or even lift his head. But now he can stand on his own.

Atticus still cannot wash, eat, or drink himself without help.

Atticus still cannot clean himself, eat or drink without help and is cared for every night by a foster parent

He is cared for in a separate room, covered with blankets and looked after every night by a foster parent.

Dr. Wilde said that even after all the disgusting abuse, Atticus has a kind spirit and occasionally shows some kindness.

“Every time we come in, he starts wagging his tail and trying to sit up and interact,” she said.

Although there are positive signs, Atticus still has a long road to recovery and will remain at the Lost Dogs Home for the next few months.

Dr. Wilde said Atticus’ condition had left the staff in tears.

“The hardest part of our job is that so many of the dogs that end up here have been abandoned by the people who should have loved them,” she said.

“They just want to be loved.”

A five-year-old Staghound named Atticus was found infested with fleas and lice in an emaciated condition on June 21 and is now being cared for at the Lost Dogs Home in Melbourne

Dr Wilde said Lost Dogs Home and other animal shelters are seeing an increase in the number of pets being surrendered due to cost of living pressures, but “there is no excuse” for cases like Atticus’s.

Dr. Wilde told the ABC The rise in numbers could also be attributed to ‘pandemic pets’ purchased during the Covid pandemic being surrendered as people stop working from home and resume normal lives.

According to the ABC, the shelter recorded a 44 percent increase in the total number of animals surrendered between 2021 and 2023, with 1,981 surrendered last year alone.