A Jack Russell terrier was found abandoned in a bag for life on the side of the road in Stoke-on-Trent just days before Christmas.
The dog was suffering from a potentially deadly infection in her uterus. RSPCA inspectors have been appealing for information. They fear the dog was abandoned for a couple of days before the organisation was alerted.
RSPCA inspector Charlotte Melvin said: “This poor little dog would’ve really suffered before she died as she was suffering from Pyometra.
“We are keen to find out what happened to her as she was still attached to a chain tether and also had urine stains on her paws and belly.
“The infection she was suffering from before she died is an aggressive and terrible condition and would’ve needed urgent veterinary help. This is why it is so important that pet owners get their animals neutered to prevent these terrible conditions.”
In the run up to the festive season, Dogs Trust has also voiced concerns. The charity relaunched its ‘A Dog is For Life, Not Just For Christmas’ campaign to remind pet owners of the serious responsibility pet ownership entails.
The Dogs Trust revealed that dogs are often abandoned at its centres on minor pretexts. The charity’s chief executive, Adrian Burder explained: “Sadly, there are many understandable reasons why people have to give up their dogs and we appreciate that circumstances can change beyond their control, however we cannot fathom that dogs should lose their security, comfort and home for such reasons they ‘ate the banoffee pie’ or ‘sat in front of the TV when the football was on.”
We hope that other pets around the country will not face the horrors of abandonment and can enjoy happy holidays in their ‘forever homes’.
