An eight-week-old puppy is being cared for by the RSPCA after she was dumped in a bin due to a leg deformity that left her struggling to walk.
Cocker spaniel Winnie was found by a kind passerby having been abandoned in a bin near Riverside Leisure Centre, off Westgate Street, in Gloucester on 28 August.
RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Freya Lamb was called after a member of the public witnessed Winnie being abandoned. Freya said: “A passerby saw someone get out of a white van and chuck, what they initially thought was a plastic bag, onto a pile of rubbish that had been left like a bin by the gate to Westgate Park.
“When they went to investigate they realised it was a little puppy who had been cruelly thrown onto the pile of rubbish. They took her straight to a local vet who contacted us for help.”
She was taken in by the team at RSPCA Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home, in Cambridge, Gloucestershire, where she’s now receiving round-the-clock care from staff member and fosterer, Ebony Poole.
Haley Medlock, from the rescue centre, said: “Poor Winnie had been cruelly dumped in a bin like rubbish. It’s utterly shocking. We believe she’d been abandoned due to a deformity to one of her front legs which caused her elbow to be fused at an angle, leaving her unable to walk.
“It may be that her owner was unable to afford the veterinary treatment she needed or, as a breeder, may have felt they wouldn’t be able to sell her in such a state. Either way, to abandon her and leave her so helpless is completely unacceptable.”
The RSPCA is appealing for anyone with information about where Winnie may have come from, who is responsible for abandoning her or who saw anything in the area on 28 August to contact the charity’s cruelty hotline on 0300 1234 999.
Her abandonment comes as the charity – which works across England & Wales rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals just like Winnie – released new figures showing that the number of animals being abandoned is increasing.
The RSPCA’s Cancel Out Cruelty campaign – which calls on the public to support them as they tackle animal cruelty, including abandonment – revealed that a total of 38,087 abandonment reports were made last year – that’s 104 a day – and this is on the rise with a 17% increase from 2020 to 2021, and a 24% increase into 2022.
Ebony said: “When she came in, Winnie’s leg was noticeably twisted. I instantly fell in love with her and knew I wanted to offer her a loving foster home to support her through her treatment.
“Unfortunately, Winnie has also suffered two seizures. This will now also need to be investigated. She is my biggest concern at the moment and I’m hopeful that the public will help us care for Winnie and erase the neglect she has already suffered at the tender age of just eight weeks. She is such a fun-loving girl. She loves her playtime and will curl up on my lap for a good nap afterwards.”
Haley said: “Winnie has congenital elbow dislocation with fusion meaning she will need to have her leg amputated before physiotherapy and hydrotherapy as she adjusts to life on three legs. As she’s still so small and vulnerable, we’ll have to wait another 15 weeks until she’s strong enough for the surgery.
“For now, we’re managing her discomfort and giving her all of the TLC she needs. She’s loving her time with Ebony and is already learning new tricks! She’s such a sweet, friendly pup, and we’re hopeful that her future will be bright once she’s had her operation. She should make a full recovery and live a very happy life with just three legs!”
The branch has already spent hundreds of pounds on Winnie’s x-rays and care so far, and her operation is expected to cost around £1,500, with more for her physiotherapy and hydrotherapy.
The Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home Team is now appealing to their supporters to help cover the costs of Winnie’s x-rays, treatment and surgery, as well as her physiotherapy to help her recover.
Haley added: “We’d be incredibly grateful to anyone who can make a donation to help with the costs of Winnie’s care. Or you could even become a sponsor and support Winnie during her time with us by making regular donations.”
