Outraged animal lovers are rallying online support for Trooper, the emaciated golden retriever that was dropped off at the Maple Ridge SPCA last month, using Facebook and web petitions to demand his owner be charged.

Trooper weighed 10.5 kilograms, roughly a third the weight of an average golden retriever, when he was turned in on February 28. Shelter staff were shaken by his appearance, describing the animal as a "walking skeleton."

"I've seen dogs in this condition before, but they have been dead," said animal protection officer Eileen Drever.

The SPCA recommended animal cruelty charges against Trooper's two owners last week under section 445.1 (1) of the criminal code. A conviction would carry a possible jail term of up to six months.

"That very, very rarely happens, unfortunately," Drever said.

Crown counsel has yet to approve the charges, but the dog's supporters are calling for action. A Trooper Facebook page has amassed more than 1,100 members, and an online petition called Justice for Trooper has more than 750 signatures.

"We cannot let humans continue to be able to commit such horrendous acts without consequences," the petition reads.

CTV News interviewed one of the dog's owners, who asked to be identified only as Mike, who said he couldn't take the dog to the veterinarian earlier because he lost his job, and was not aware of how thin Trooper was until he saw the animal without his fur.

"I didn't want him to die. I care about animals," Mike said.

"I'm praying every day that that dog makes it and eventually finds a good home."

With files from CTV British Columbia's Lisa Rossington