Dog abandoned in one of worst neglect cases ever seen

Wood Green, The Animals Charity is appealing for information after a dog was tied up by a piece of string and abandoned - in one of the worst animal neglect cases ever seen. Floyd, as he has been named by staff, was hauled out of a dark coloured vehicle and tied up outside the Godmanchester Centre in Cambridgeshire at 1.30am on Saturday. The Old English Sheepdog, which is approximately 10-years-old, was found by a member of the security team who took him inside to comfort him. His hair was so long and matted that he struggled to see, hear or go to the toilet. The claws on his feet were so long that Floyd was in severe pain as he attempted to walk. Floyd needed urgent medical treatment and received round the clock care from vets and nurses who removed 13kg of hair and matts, clipped his two inch long claws and removed cysts and grass seeds out of his paws and ears in a two hour operation.

In order to bring him back to full health, Floyd will also need to undergo dental, ear, eye and skin treatment. It is also thought that he was poorly exercised and will therefore need to build up the muscles in his back legs and learn to walk normally again.

Head of Dog Section Wendy Kruger said: “We were all extremely shocked and distressed at Floyd’s condition. It is the worst case of animal neglect the Charity has ever seen. Our main priority was to make him as comfortable as possible while we tried to treat his many ailments. “All the staff worked extremely hard to ensure that Floyd received the best love and attention that we could give him. This is just the first stage of his recovery, Floyd will need extensive treatment to bring him back to full health so he can live out his retirement years.

“To allow an animal to reach this state of neglect is criminal and would warrant prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act.” Anyone with any information about this dog is urged to call the RSPCA 24 hour cruelty line on 0300 1234 999.