The thinnest dog I ever saw: RSPCA vet
A DOG abandoned in a cardboard box has been described as the "thinnest dog ever seen alive" by the RSPCA.
The Staffordshire cross weighed just 8kg – half the healthy weight for her breed – and was unable to eat or drink by herself when found.
She was handed in to an RSPCA centre in Weston-super-Mare by a man who gave his name only as Ben and claimed he had found the dog.
The starved animal, named Hope by staff, spent several days on a drip and is now able to hold her head up and has slowly started eating and drinking.
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Vet Anna Parry said: "I have spent eight years working at an RSPCA clinic in the past so I am no stranger to abused and neglected animals but this is the thinnest dog I have ever seen alive.
"She weighs just 8kg and a healthy weight for her would be more like 16.
"When she first arrived we had to wrap her in blankets and bubble wrap just to keep her warm as she could not maintain her temperature and although she is now off the drip and much more responsive she still has a long way to go."
Hope, believed to be between one and two years old, was found in a cardboard box in a lay-by near a burger van at the side of the A370 near Hewish on May 16.
RSPCA inspector John Norman said: "This poor creature was found in a terrible state, and it would seem that whoever allowed her to get like this simply tried to get rid of the problem by abandoning her as though she was rubbish.
"I would urge anyone with information about this dog to contact the RSPCA cruelty and information line so we can find whoever is responsible and ensure there are no other animals in their possession in need of help," he said.
Anyone found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal can face up to six months in prison and a £20,000 fine.
When Hope is well enough, she will be transferred to the RSPCA North Somerset Branch Brent Knoll Animal Centre.
Anyone with information about Hope can contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999 and leave a message for Insp Norman.
Comments
by jammydodger69
Thursday, May 31 2012, 5:43PM
“OMG! I cannot believe my eyes.
How on Earth could anyone let this happen. I prey to God that they get caught because someone will know who did this.
Hopefully she will regain her health and end up in a loving family and all this will be a distant memory for her.”
by Pyronaught
Thursday, May 31 2012, 4:36PM
“@commenter42 anyone who is capable of inficting this level of suffering to another living creature should be severely punished. Whether the death penalty is appropriate where a non human living creature is concenrned is a matter of debate - but they should certainly suffer in a way that would ensure they are never capable of doing anything like this again. Anyone who shows any sympathy to someone who willingly does this - is almost as bad as the perpetrator as they could be capable of arguing in favour of this inhumanity. The human race likes to think of itself as being in some way 'superior' - what a crock.”
by dais9ma9ie
Thursday, May 31 2012, 4:31PM
“Any ill treatment of animals really pulls on my heart strings. I absolutely hate it, am a complete animal lover. I wish I could afford a huge property and rescue all these animals that have been so cruely treated.”
by BedmoBlues
Thursday, May 31 2012, 3:31PM
“@ Everyone - Go to Greece some time - there's packs of dogs just like this everywhere - as we don't see this in Britain we can assume it is pretty rare for this sort of thing to happen.
Bigger point, to the well wishers, is Hope the first literate dog?! :O”
by lolly60
Thursday, May 31 2012, 3:26PM
“Oh my god WHY!!!”
by Commenter42
Thursday, May 31 2012, 1:34PM
“dais9ma9ie - I'm not the on who is soapboxing - it's you who is advocating the death penalty for animal neglect and have chosen to ignore my point regarding comparitive punishments for other more serious crimes
Of course I would not just pat the guilty party on the back - there is a penalty in place (mentioned in the article) who I think corresponds to the gravity of the crime.”
by dais9ma9ie
Thursday, May 31 2012, 1:20PM
“I think you need to get off your soapbox.
What happened to this dog just makes my blood boil.
If the death penalty still existed I would definitely approve of it for murderers and rapists.
So how do you feel about the person/people who starved this dog, give them a pat on the back would you!”
by Commenter42
Thursday, May 31 2012, 1:10PM
“dais9ma9ie: I would love to starve these *******s to death.
So you'd impose a death sentance. I ask again, if death is the penalty for neglecting an animal, what sentance would be appropriate for murder or rape - bearing in mind the comparitive gravity of those crimes or wold you avocate killing anyone found guilty of breaking any law?”
by shutup2012
Thursday, May 31 2012, 1:01PM
“I hope they find whoever done this and bring them to justice.
if they didn't want or couldn't cope with her they should of just rehomed her there is no excuse for cruelty.
Fingers crossed for you hope really hope you make a full recovery.
lots of love xxxx”
by dais9ma9ie
Thursday, May 31 2012, 12:44PM
“I wasn't referring to death penalty in prison, what I actually meant was I would love to starve these *******s to death.”