Elderly terrier was left to 'waste away'

The RSPCA has launched an investigation after a severely underweight dog was found wandering the streets of Blackpool.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th May 2017, 17:41 GMT
Updated 9th May 2017, 18:26 GMT
May the English bull terrier was found wandering the streets of Blackpool, frightened and extremely underweight. Picture from RSPCAMay the English bull terrier was found wandering the streets of Blackpool, frightened and extremely underweight. Picture from RSPCA
May the English bull terrier was found wandering the streets of Blackpool, frightened and extremely underweight. Picture from RSPCA

The emaciated and frightened English bull terrier, nicknamed May, was found at Westgate on Wednesday by a member of the public who contacted local dog rescue charity Homeward Bound.

RSPCA Inspector Amy McIntosh, who is now investigating May’s condition, said: “English bull terriers are generally quite muscular and stocky little dogs but poor May was little more than skin and bone.

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“You can clearly see every single one of her ribs and her spine juts out of her skin.”

May weighed just 12kg - almost half the weight she should be.

Healthy adult English bull terriers should weigh around 20kg, but can weigh up to 38kg.

The elderly brindle and white pooch was wearing no collar or ID tag when she was found, and is not microchipped.

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However, an RSPCA spokesman said the dog’s owners have been identified and that an investigation is currently underway.

Homeward Bound representative Wendy Mulela said: “She was wobbly on her legs and she had a lot of green pus around her eyes which I cleaned up, and she was very emaciated.

“She’s about 14-years-old.

“She has been at the vets since Thursday morning. We don’t know if she’s going to survive at the moment. She’s quite poorly.

“It appears she was just wandering the streets when she was picked up as a stray.

“She needed to see a vet so it was lucky she was found.”

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Amy added: “I’d like to thank (Homeward Bound) for helping to take May, as she’s now been nicknamed, off the streets and ensuring she had somewhere warm and safe to spend the night.

“May is now in our care and I am keen to find out how she came to be in such a state.

“It’s taken some time for poor May to get into such poor condition so I believe someone is responsible for allowing her to waste away.”

Anyone with information which could aid the RSPCA’s investigation can get in touch by calling the inspector appeal line on 0300 123 8018.

If you are concerned for the welfare of a dog or spot an injured or sick stray dog, contact the charity’s 24-hour emergency line on 0300 1234 999.

Related topics:Blackpool