Callie Starnes of WRCB for NBC News Channel:
HIXSON, Tennessee -- A once pitiful pooch has overcome serious neglect, and is now on the road to a full recovery.
Cocker spaniel "Maddie" was found covered in mud and hair in her owner's Hixon backyard. Penny Major is now charged with animal cruelty and is banned from having pets for a year.
A six-person medical team shaved ten pounds of matted fur off the dog, who was in pain and very aggressive.
Major told officers she lost her job and couldn't afford to care for Maddie. McKamey Animal Center says she should have come to them for help.
"We would have taken the dog in," said McKamey Executive Director Karen Walsh, "if the woman would have come to us and said this dog is getting into a neglectful situation because I just cant take care of it."
A judge also ordered Major to pay McKamey $900 in restitution.
Walsh says Maddie is doing surprisingly well now that she's been rid of all the excess fur.
