Starving puppy found curled up at side of main road

[dutchman]

A half-starved puppy found curled up at the side of the road in Coventry is recovering thanks to the RSPCA.



The four-month-old brown lurcher was found by a passer by in Willenhall Lane, Coventry on Wednesday September 9.

The good Samaritan got in touch with the RSPCA and the puppy was taken to the charity’s Animal Centre in Coundon Wedge Drive, Allesley, Coventry.

RSPCA staff took him straight to a vet who admitted him to a veterinary hospital.

RSPCA staff have named the puppy William.

He was so thin even experienced staff at the animal centre were shocked by his staring eyes and jutting bones.

They now want to find out who he belongs to and how he came to be so thin.

RSPCA inspector Nicky Foster said: “William was found curled up on the pavement next to the side of the road in Willenhall Lane and he could barely stand up.

“He looks like a walking skeleton.

“He is the thinnest dog I have seen in the 10 years I have been an inspector.

“You can see every single bone in his body.

“As soon as the vet saw him, he was admitted straight away.

“He has been given fluids and is being monitored.

“He is being given small bits of food to get him used to it and is on a heated mat, as his temperature was so low.

“William has been through so much already and has had such a rubbish start to life but he is now in the right place.

“We want to find out where William has come from and how he ended up in the state he is in.

“We would urge anyone who has any information to call us on 0300 123 8018.”

Failing to care properly for animals, including failing to make sure they have enough to eat, is an offence against the Animal Welfare Act.

Every year the Coventry, Nuneaton and District Branch cares for about 1,000 animals which have been abused, neglected or abandoned like William.

In recent years charities such as the RSPCA have seen rising numbers of abandoned animals, possibly fuelled by austerity as people struggle to afford the upkeep.

To make a £3 donation to the RSPCA text HELP to 78866.

[dutchman]

Couple banned from keeping animals after handing in starved puppy to RSPCA



A Coventry couple have been banned indefinitely from keeping animals after a starved puppy became so thin it was described as a “walking skeleton”.

William the lurcher was handed into the RSPCA centre in Allesley by Christopher Rushton and Kirsty Hales who said they had found the four-month-old on the city’s streets.

However, RSPCA investigators eventually unravelled their lies to reveal the couple from Winston Avenue, Henley Green, had in fact failed to feed him properly, causing him to become seriously malnourished.

One RSPCA inspector said it was the worst case she had seen in ten years.

Birmingham Magistrates’ Court heard that Rushton, 37, and 29-year-old Hales had bought William - who was named initially named George - on impulse after seeing him advertised for sale on the internet.

But they had not done their research on how to look after a puppy or how much to feed him, leading him to lose so much weight that he became seriously ill.

As well as the effects of starvation, a vet said William was also anaemic and dehydrated when he was taken into the RSPCA’s care.

The couple pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the puppy between August 26 and September 9 and were banned from keeping animals indefinitely.

They can re-apply to keep animals after five years.

Both were also handed a 12-week prison sentence suspended for a year and each will have pay £889 costs towards the RSPCA investigation and court case.

Both will also have to carry out 35 hours of unpaid work and pay an £80 victim surcharge.

RSPCA inspector Nicky Foster, who investigated the case, said: “This would never have happened if they had done their research before getting him.

“Getting a dog should never be done on impulse, and this is evidenced by what happened to William. It is heartbreaking to think that, because of this, four months ago he was close to death.

“Thankfully, William has made a fantastic recovery and has now been rehomed with a family who dote on him.”