'Skeletal' dog dumped by the side of road was 'hours from death'

This poor, emaciated dog was dumped by the side of the road ‘looking like a skeleton’ – and ‘less than a day from death’.

RSPCA bosses are appealing for information after seven-year-old American bulldog Oscar was tied up and abandoned at a busy junction in Stockport.

Inspectors said the animal weighed half what he should have when he was found in Cheadle Hulme, the Manchester Evening News reports.

The ‘gentle and friendly’ dog, whose original owner has been traced through his microchip, weighed 22.7 kilogrammes, when he should have weighed 45.

Oscar was discovered at 8am on Monday, November 19, and taken to Woodcroft Veterinary Group on Councillor Lane.

He is now in the care of the RSPCA. Inspector Nadine Pengilly said he is ‘literally a skeleton’.

“He’s so emaciated,” she added.

“In my 16 years as an RSPCA inspector, he’s the skinniest dog I have seen that wasn’t dead. He was 12 to 24 hours away from death.

“He has used up all of his body fat and muscle – the next thing to have been used would have been his organs and that would have killed him.

Oscar, who Nadine said is ‘a lovely boy, nice and friendly’ was placed on a drip for 24 hours.

He is now being fed small amounts every hour to gradually increase his weight without making him sick.

“He’s so hungry that when you take the plate away he just looks at you so sadly,” Nadine added.

She has traced Oscar’s original owner, who said they had rehomed him a year ago.

When Nadine went to that person’s house, they claimed they had given him to an unnamed man he met at a park.

But she said she is positive about Oscar’s future.

RSCPA bosses hope to find him a new home next year once he has gained enough weight.

She is desperate to bring the person who neglected him to justice.

“I would love to get them,” she said. “Someone’s been sat there watching this happen to him.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 0300 1234 909. Reports can be made anonymously.

WSTale.com