A dog who was abandoned in Greater Manchester with bleeding skin and extensive fur loss is getting ready to spend his first festive season in a loving new home after recovering in RSPCA care.
Enzo, a young bull breed-type dog, was found on 1 February this year by a member of the public after he’d been tied up with a piece of rope and left near the Peak Forest Canal at Woodley Precinct in Stockport.
Large areas of his body were completely bald and he was covered in scabs and sores, some of which were bleeding from where he’d been scratching and itching himself.
Shocked by his condition, the person who found him took him to the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital where he received urgent treatment before being transferred to the charity’s Warrington, Halton & St Helens Branch animal centre in Slutchers Lane where he received ongoing treatment and care.
In May, Enzo was adopted by legal adviser Ana Freitas (29), who had been looking to rehome a rescue dog after moving to the UK from Brazil to work.
She said: “I’d initially gone to the centre to see another dog but when I met him I thought he was going to be too big for me. The staff mentioned Enzo was looking for a home and when I saw him it was love at first sight and I knew straight away I wanted to adopt him.
“I drove home, got everything ready and then returned to Warrington the next day to pick him up. It was so sad hearing about his past but he’s the most amazing dog who loves people. From the first moment he came into the house he hasn’t left my side. He settled in beautifully and on the first night he slept on my bed with his paw on my arm.”
Although Enzo was microchipped the details hadn’t been registered, and despite a media appeal and an investigation by the RSPCA, his owner couldn’t be traced.
Enzo is ‘obsessed’ with tennis balls, says Ana, so much so that she buys him a new pack to play with every week.
Although the fur grew back steadily over time on his body, Enzo has been left with permanent scars on the top of his head.
He especially loves going for walks in the countryside near Ana’s house and they have also been camping together – although she says he hates getting wet.
Ana, who lives near Congleton, added: “Enzo is not only really smart but also incredibly caring, especially with children, and he’s formed a lovely bond with my four-year-old godson. He’s made a remarkable transition from a difficult past to a life filled with love and joy.
“His ability to bring happiness to everyone around him has been truly heartwarming. I’d come to the UK 18 months previously, I had no family here and something was missing from my life. Now Enzo is with me, I cannot express how grateful I am to have him.
“His presence has made my days brighter and filled with so much love.
“There are so many dogs in rescue that need good homes and I think it’s especially hard for bigger breeds like Enzo. I’d always wanted to adopt and I’d encourage other people to go along to their nearest RSPCA rehoming centre and do the same as it’s wonderful to be able to give an unwanted animal a second chance.”
RSPCA Inspector Ryan King, who investigated the case, said: “Enzo had been badly let down by his previous owner and had simply been tied up with a piece of rope and cast aside in a dreadful condition.
“It took many weeks of care by the wonderful team at our Warrington animal centre to get him back to full health, although he will always bear some permanent scars from his past neglect.
“We’re so grateful to Ana for offering him a fantastic home where he’s loved and enjoying life to the full, just as it should be.
“It takes time and patience to rehabilitate dogs like Enzo which is why we’ve launched our Join The Christmas Rescue fund-raising campaign so we can help even more animals like him.”
Shocking figures released by the RSPCA show the number of animals abandoned in England and Wales during the winter period has increased by a massive 51% in just three years.
The charity has released the startling statistics to highlight the battle frontline rescuers face ahead of what is expected to be another bleak winter for thousands of animals as part of its Join The Christmas Rescue campaign.
In Greater Manchester the latest figures show that the number of abandonments reported to the RSPCA in 2023 stood at 1,250, up from 942 in 2021 when the cost of living crisis began – a 33% increase.
Nationally, the RSPCA received 4,630 incidents of pets who were reported to have been left to fend for themselves during winter between November 2023 and January 2024. This compares to 3,071 incidents of abandonment during the same period in 2021 – a 51% increase.
The charity believes the surge in pet ownership during the Covid-19 lockdown and the increasing financial hardships due to soaring living costs have led to the increase in people dumping their pets.
And now, during the winter months, the RSPCA expects the crisis to worsen as more people struggle with the increase in expenditure around Christmas time with presents to buy and extra food shopping – coupled with an increase in energy bills.
To help the RSPCA rescue more animals visit rspca.org.uk/winterappeal
