The RSPCA is looking for a loving new home for a Staffordshire Bull Terrier who was nearly strangled to death after she was cruelly tied up with rope and abandoned.
Five-year-old Tetley has been left permanently scarred from the deep lacerations she suffered to her neck after she was found tethered and struggling to breathe in the Firth Park area of Sheffield on 1 June.
Seen by a kind passer-by, she was taken to a local veterinary practice where the rope was removed. It revealed a deep wound on her neck and signs of strangulation where she had desperately tried to free herself.
Tetley’s prognosis remained guarded for several days, but she was eventually well enough to travel to the charity’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital in Salford on 5 June, where she continued to be closely monitored by a specialist team for any long-term damage to her larynx.
Three weeks later, she was transferred to the RSPCA’s rehoming centre at Great Ayton in North Yorkshire to continue her recovery, and she has now finally been given the all-clear by their vet to be rehomed.
Emma Cosby, the centre’s dog behaviour welfare advisor, who has worked closely with Tetley, said: “Up until a month ago, we couldn’t put a collar on her because of the injuries to her neck. When she got excited or exercised she’d become breathless and she had to put in a lot of effort just to breathe, so we’ve had to keep her as calm as possible and take things very slowly.
“She’s had x-rays on her throat and thankfully there have been no bony changes and her breathing is almost back to normal now, although she will always have scars from the damage.”
Despite what she’s been through, Tetley is a friendly, loving dog who is full of life and a bundle of energy. Staff say she’s a clever girl who generally walks well on the lead and is friendly with most dogs she meets, but she’s not coping very well in a kennel environment and would benefit from being in her own home as soon as possible.
Due to her previous medical conditions, she still struggles with her breathing from time to time – mostly when she gets excited – so the centre is looking to rehome her as the only pet and an adult-only home is preferred.
Tetley will also need someone who is around all of the time – at least to begin with. Little is known about her history and what experiences she may have had, so understanding owners to help guide and support her through the transition are crucial. For more information about how to adopt her visit the centre’s website.
The RSPCA has carried out local enquiries and continues to appeal to anyone with information about what happened to Tetley to contact the charity on 0300 123 8018.
Cases of animals being abandoned have soared this year – and the RSPCA fears the cost of living is to blame. In the first seven months of 2023, 11,782 incidents were reported to the charity’s emergency line – a substantial increase on the first seven months of 2022, where 10,585 incidents were reported. This marks a rise of more than 11%.
