WARNING: STORY CONTAINS DISTRESSING IMAGES
A dog is thought to have frozen to death after being abandoned and tied to a water trough in the Cheshire countryside.
RSPCA has today shared the heartbreaking images of the dog left to die.
Its severely emaciated body was discovered in a muddy pool of water by a member of the public on farmland near the village of Kelsall, Tarporley, at about 4.30pm on Tuesday (December 5).
The tan-coloured dog, believed to be a lurcher, is thought to have been deliberately dumped and is likely to have frozen to death, said the RSPCA.
He was taken to a nearby vet and given the lowest possible body score condition.
The bones in his legs, hips and ribs were clearly visible and there was very little muscle tone, indicating a prolonged period of neglect. No microchip was found.
The RSPCA is now appealing to anyone with information or dash cam footage – possibly from Kelsall Road – to get in touch.
RSPCA inspector Anthony Joynes said: “Based on the fact the dog was tied up and the presence of mud on his legs, we think he was probably alive when he was left in the field.
“Temperatures in the area went down to well below freezing on Monday night into Tuesday morning and because he had so little body fat, it’s likely he died from exposure.
“The images of him lying there alone in the mud are difficult to look at.
“It’s hard to comprehend how someone can deliberately leave an emaciated dog in circumstances like this and just walk away, but sadly all the signs indicate this is what happened.”
The charity is appealing for anyone with first-hand information about who is responsible to get in touch on 0300 123 8018 quoting reference number 1193891.
Calls about incidents of abandonment to the RSPCA’s emergency line are now at a three-year high, as the charity responds to an increasing number of animals being given up and dumped.
This year, up to the end of October, the animal welfare charity has received 17,838 reports of abandoned animals across England and Wales – which, if such trends continue, would equate to 21,417 reports over 2023.
This compares with 19,645 reports in 2022 and 17,179 in 2021.
whoever has done this evil act they will never have a good day for the rest of their miserable life, all you need to do if you cannot care for an animal is to contact the vets, the rescue centres, or even leave the animal in the pub, it will be given a warm home and loved but to actually tie a creature up in a remote area in the winter is beyond cruel, this foul person walks amongst us with no shame or remorse, but there will be a day when you need help and nobody will hear you, may that day soon come for you
I hope the perpetrator is located and punished. Dispicable.