How can they do it?

Published: Thursday, 21 December 2017

A LURCHER dumped on the towpath of the Sheffield & South Yorkshire Navigation was so starved it had collapsed on the ground, unable to stand properly.

starved dogThe poor animal was found cowed on the towpath at Stainforth by a walker who immediately alerted the RSPCA to its state, an inspector taking it into care, Keith Gudgin tells us.

Terrible malnourished state

Every single bone of the dog's body could be seen pressing through the skin it being in such a terrible malnourished state, with RSPCA inspector Jennie Ronksley collecting the dog and rushing him to the vet, such was her concern..

The animal was discovered on the towpath by Doncaster Road on the outskirts of Doncaster, last week, with Jennie explaining:

Couldn't stand or walk properly

"It’s a miracle he was still alive to be honest. It was so cold and he was so thin that there is no way he could have survived outside in that state for long. He also couldn’t stand or walk properly, which is why I believe someone has driven him there and dumped him deliberately.

Starved dog2"I have two lurchers and they weigh between 28kg and 30kg. This one was 15.6kg and was painfully skinny, he was skeletal. There isn’t an ounce of flesh on him, just bone and fur. I had to carry him to my van and then lift him out and carry him into the vet's.

"But, when I put him down in the waiting room, he got up and made a beeline to the shelves stuffed full of bags of food. He was obviously starving. Ollie had lots of tests and was taken in by a foster carer who is now working to rehabilitate him and build up his weight and strength. 

"It’s absolutely despicable to allow a dog to get into a state like this and, to then simply abandon them to die instead of seeking veterinary advice, is unthinkable."

Contact the RSPCA

The RSPCA (suppling the photographs) is urging anyone who recognises the lurcher or who may have information about where he’s come from to contact the RSPCA’s appeal line on 0300 123 8018 and leave a message for her.