One person is behind bars Tuesday after a dog was recovered by the Guernsey County Dog Pound last week.

Poe, 2, is lucky to be alive after he was found nearly dead in a man’s home last week.

"We were made aware by a telephone call from a concerned citizen," said Kissy Moore, dog warden.

Moore said Poe was barely able to stand when they found her, depleted of nearly all caloric intake and wasted away to skin and bones.

"We took the dog directly to the veterinarian clinic where he was evaluated by our local vet," Moore said.

On a veterinary scale of one to ten, ten being average and one being dead, Poe was placed at the very bottom of the scale.

"He was scored at a 1.5," Moore said.

That's when Moore knew she had to press charges. Samuel Smalley of Cambridge pleaded no contest in court Tuesday morning.

He was found guilty of companion animal cruelty and sentenced to serve 90 days in the Guernsey County Jail.

In the past week, Poe gained almost seven pounds, but she's still weak.   

"[Gaining] 6.5 pounds is really significant for a dog in these straits," Moore said.

She believes whether the dog lived or died was his own decision.

"He ultimately had the will to live," Moore said.

Moore said once the dog is healthy enough to travel he will be transported to a rescue facility in Michigan.