The RSPCA is appealing for people to come forward with information after three neglected dogs were found – presumed abandoned – in two separate incidents in Merseyside.
The first one involved two severely matted and unwell Chow Chows which were found tied to a tree in the L36 area of Liverpool on 8 November. They are now in the care of Dogs Trust.
In the second incident, the RSPCA was contacted after a member of the public found an underweight female French Bulldog dog in the CH42 area of Birkenhead on 11 November and took her to a local veterinary practice.
RSPCA Deputy Chief Inspector Caren Goodman-James said: “All three of these poor dogs appear to have been severely neglected then abandoned. It’s particularly sad to think that people could do this just when the weather turns really wintery and on the run-up to Christmas.
“While the Chow Chows – who have been renamed Dalinda and Kaida – were microchipped, the chips are unfortunately not registered. The condition of their matted coats was really bad. The French Bulldog was also microchipped, but while it showed she was called Cassie and registered to an address in the CH46 area, the contact number was no longer in use.
“We’d really like to hear from anyone who might know anything about any of these three distinctive-looking dogs. If you have any first-hand information, please do contact us via the RSPCA’s appeals line on 0800 123 8018.”
When taken to the vet, the two Chow Chows needed to be sedated and clipped to remove their matted fur, which would suggest that their coats had not been appropriately looked after Kaida was also put onto antibiotics for a bacterial skin infection. As the vets caring for them had no medical history for the dogs, they were also vaccinated as a precaution and both needed their ears cleaned.
Cassie had an upset stomach and was given a body condition score of only two out of nine by the vet who examined her. Thought to be around two-years-old, she has received treatment and is now being looked after at an emergency kennels while enquiries are carried out in the area where she’s believed to have lived. Her ribs and spine were prominent and she was clearly malnourished and in a poor state of health.
The RSPCA is keen to find out whether she was under any veterinary care at the time and the circumstances in which she was found. There may also be other animals at the location who need to be checked.
Anyone with first-hand information about them is asked to contact the RSPCA appeals line number, in confidence, on 0300 123 8018 quoting incident number 01387158 for the two Chow Chows and 01391869 for Cassie the French Bulldog.
For those who find themselves struggling, there are many reputable animal welfare charities who can offer help and advice and we encourage anybody in a difficult situation to seek support. The RSPCA has also launched a dedicated cost of living hub to signpost the help out there for owners and we also have more than 200 Pet Food Bank Partnerships across the country to support struggling pet owners.
The charity has just launched its Join The Christmas Rescue campaign, to highlight the battle frontline rescuers face ahead of what is expected to be another bleak winter for thousands of animals like these dogs.
