ladbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

RSPCA Appeals For Information On 'Skeletal' Abandoned Dog

RSPCA Appeals For Information On 'Skeletal' Abandoned Dog

The 3-year-old lurcher was found in a terrible condition, but thankfully he's on the road to recovery.

Paddy Maddison

Paddy Maddison

A malnourished dog found near a canal was so skinny you could see every bone poking through from beneath his skin.

The neglected pup was discovered by a passerby in Stainforth last week.

The shocked man alerted the RSPCA, which is currently in the process of appealing for information about the abandoned brown lurcher.

Credit: RSPCA

RSPCA inspector Jennie Ronksley attended to collect the dog and rushed him to the vet. She said: "He was literally a bag of bones, you could see every single bone poking out of his skin.

"It's a miracle he was still alive to be honest. It was so cold and he was so thin that there is no way he could have survived outside in that state for long.

"He also couldn't stand or walk properly, which is why I believe someone has driven him there and dumped him deliberately."

The poorly pup, nicknamed Ollie, is around three years old and weighed only 15.6kg when he was first rushed to the vet. That's half the weight a healthy adult lurcher is supposed to be.

"I had to carry him to my van and then lift him out and carry him into the vets," inspector Ronksley added.

"But, when I put him down in the waiting room, he got up and made a beeline to the shelves stuffed full of bags of food. He was obviously starving."

Ronksley added: "I have two lurchers and they weigh between 28kg and 30kg. Ollie was painfully skinny, he was skeletal.

Credit: RSPCA

"There wasn't an ounce of flesh on him, just bone and fur."

However, despite his desperate condition when he was first brought in, Ollie has made a remarkable recovery.

In just one week he had gained 2.5kg and has now been taken in by a foster carer who is looking to build him back up and rehabilitate him.

"He is much brighter and much happier now," inspector Ronksley added. "He's even got the energy to wag his tail again."

"Someone somewhere out there will recognise Ollie, might have seen someone dumping him in Stainforth last week, or may even be suspicious that a dog like him used to live next door to them but has now disappeared.

"It's absolutely despicable to allow a dog to get into a state like this and, to then simply abandon them to die instead of seeking veterinary advice, is unthinkable."

The RSPCA is now urging anyone who recognises Ollie or who may have information about where he's come from to contact the RSPCA's appeal line on 0300 123 8018 and leave a message for inspector Ronsksley.


Featured Image Credit: RSPCA

Topics: RSPCA, Dog, uk news