Hunt for owner of abused dog abandoned on Portland (From Dorset Echo)

Hunt for owner of abused dog abandoned on Portland

11:00am Thursday 2nd September 2010 in

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THE hunt is on for a pet owner who abandoned their dog with a flea infestation, cuts on his face and cataracts.

The 13 year-old male collie cross called Nessun, was found on the Verne on Portland at 3pm on Monday, August 23.

The dog team at Weymouth and Portland Borough Council received a call from a man saying he had found an abandoned dog running around in the area.

When they turned up to collect it, the man, described as a skinhead, left. Nessun was taken to Weymouth Pound and was checked over by a vet.

He was found to have a severe flea infestation and he has lost most of the hair from his lower back to his tail. He suffers with cataracts, is almost deaf and his coat was matted and hanging off.

The dog team believes that he had been wearing a muzzle for a long time as he had deep cuts below both of his eyes where the device had been rubbing.

Nessun had a microchip to identify him and the vets had hoped to trace his owners through it but it was found that his last registered owners were an elderly couple on Portland.

After the death of one of his owners, he was given a new home.

Dog Warden Ian Lewis is putting out an appeal to find the person responsible for Nessun’s condition.

Mr Lewis described Nessun’s treatment as ‘one of the worst cases we have seen’.

He said: “He’s 13 years old so he is quite old, and to be treated like that is very wrong.

“He was infested with fleas and his nails were long, so he hadn’t been walked. It’s very sad.”

He added: “We want the owner to come forward so that we can do something about it.

“We have been treating him, but he’s going to need a lot more care. It could be as much as £700 to get him back in shape.

“The vet said he’s not in bad shape considering how old he is and when he is better he will make a lovely dog for an older person.”

Nessun is now recovering from his ordeal at Woodlands Farm Kennels in Bridport.

The dog team are putting out an appeal for anyone with information about Nessun or his owner to call Ian Lewis on 01305 838432.

To donate to Nessun’s recovery contact Woodlands Farm kennels on 01308 423104.