Starved dogs dumped in 'horrendous' example of animal abuse (From Dorset Echo)

Starved dogs dumped in 'horrendous' example of animal abuse

7:20am Monday 14th September 2009 in Local News By Miriam Phillips

IMPROVING WELL NOW: Mary Bull with the two rescued dogs

TWO of the worst animal cruelty cases seen in Weymouth have been described by animal rescue workers as ‘absolutely horrendous’. The pair of starving dogs were found tied up and dumped by their owners near Weymouth Police Station.

Dog warden Ian Lewis, of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, branded the abuse cases as among the worst examples of malnutrition he has seen.

In an unrelated case, a house in Devon Road, Weymouth, was raided by the police and RSPCA officials amid concerns for animal welfare.

Three dogs and a cat were removed on animal safety grounds.

The RSPCA is now investigating to see if charges will be brought against the owners in what one animal rescue worker described as ‘conditions on a scale like nothing I have ever seen before’.

The cases come at a time when more stray dogs than ever are being rescued and animal rescue workers are struggling to cope. Rescue charity Woodlands Farm Strays is appealing for financial help so that it can pay for the recovery of the dogs dumped near the police station and not be forced to put them down.

It was absolutely horrendous to see the dogs had been left in that kind of condition. That kind of abuse has left those dogs close to starvation.

Dog warden Ian Lewis

Mary Bull, from the charity, said she was shocked when they were brought in because they were two of the thinnest dogs she’s ever seen.

She said: “It is absolutely appalling that someone could subject dogs to this kind of long term starvation.

“It undoubtedly reached a point for the owners that they were too embarrassed to take the dog anywhere because if they had they had they would have been hauled over the coals and get themselves in serious trouble with the RSPCA.

“I want to track the owners down to make them suffer for their consequences.”

Weymouth dog warden Ian Lewis picked the dogs up from the police station and took them straight to a veterinary surgery where they were checked and fed slowly.

Mr Lewis said: “It was absolutely horrendous to see the dogs had been left in that kind of condition.

“That kind of abuse has left those dogs close to starvation.

“The police officers tried to feed them but because their stomachs had shrunk so much they were unable to eat it and ended up vomiting all over the van.

“It was one of the worst cases I have seen.

“It’s unbelievable anyone could let them get like that.

“We are busier than ever picking up stray dogs.

“One day alone I had five because it’s a case of people choosing to feed their family over their pet.”

Due to the appalling condition they were found in, Mrs Bull said it was hard to place their ages but believes that both dogs are aged around four or five years old.

The first dog – a Labrador cross Rottweiler – weighed just 28k, his ribs were showing and had broken and he was missing front teeth.

The other dog – a Great Dame cross Labrador – lost a lot of muscle and is in an extremely thin state.

Both dogs were given a body condition rating of just one – which is the lowest rating in a scale one to five – and is only given to extremely thin or mistreated animals.

Director of Fielding and Cumber Veterinary Surgery, Dave Cumber, said: “It was such a shame to see that someone had let the dogs get like this because they really were lovely dogs.

“Clinically they were well but they were very thin and you could clearly see their ribs.”

Now the dog rescue home is appealing for help to fund the two dog’s recovery because Weymouth and Portland Borough Council can only pay for seven days of board for them.

Mrs Bull said the last thing she want to do was put the dogs down but said she might be left without a choice.

She said: “They need to be fed slowly and stabilised and their trust needs to be gained again.

“That will take time and money and we will need help to keep the dogs because we are already paying for other dogs’ veterinary bills.

“We want to do all we can to help them but it is not going to be a quick thing.”

Jo Barr, a spokesman for the RSPCA, said: “I urge anyone with any information about these two dogs to contact the RSPCA straight away.

“There is never any excuse for wounding an animal.

“If people have a pet that they can no longer look after they must contact us and get help.”

If people want to help please send cheques payable to Woodlands Farm Strays, Woodlands Farm Kennels, Dorchester Road, Bridport, DT6 4PJ.