The skinny and freezing puppy found abandoned inside bag for life
A 10-week-old puppy is lucky to be alive after she was dumped in a bag and left in a wood in freezing conditions in Stockton-on-Tees.
Thankfully, two members of the public discovered the puppy in a Sports Direct Bag for Life in the woods near Lowfields Avenue in Ingleby Barwick at about 12.30pm on December 28 (Thursday).
The small dog is virtually bald, covered in scabs, very thin and was freezing cold and hungry when she was found.
Temperatures had plummeted to about minus two when the puppy was dumped and she would have struggled to survive had she not been found as five inches of snow fell in the area just hours after she had been rescued.
She was brought to Jacqui Patersons Veterinary Clinic in Stockton by the couple who found her.
RSPCA Inspector Kristina Raine, who is investigating how the puppy came to be abandoned in such a poor condition, said: “The weather yesterday was freezing at about minus two and today we’ve woken up to five inches of snow so there is no way she would have survived through the night.
“She has quite severe demodectic mange which has caused the scabs and fur loss. The poor mite looks more like a Christmas turkey than a puppy!
“She isn’t microchipped and was freezing cold and hungry when they brought her in. She was found inside the Sports Direct bag which was covered in glitter from Christmas decorations with an old curtain inside.
“As she is only about 10-weeks-old, we are also very concerned about the rest of the litter and the other puppies who could be in a similar situation. Someone must recognise this puppy, or have some information about her. I am now urging anyone who may be able to help to contact us in strictest confidence on 0300 123 8018.”
Despite her ordeal, the puppy, named Elle by the couple who found her, is very friendly and eating and drinking well, and is now receiving treatment for her skin condition.
As she is so bald and small, there is still no clue what breed she is but Inspector Raine is hoping she will bounce back and recover quickly. When she is well enough she will hopefully go to a foster home before she can be rehomed.
From Christmas Eve to Boxing Day this year, the RSPCA received 2,479 calls to its national cruelty line. From these calls there were more than 700 complaints and 193 of these were concerning abandoned animals over the Christmas period.
If you are concerned about an animal, please call the RSPCA’s 24-hour cruelty line on 0300 1234 999.
This Christmas the RSPCA is asking the public to support its Kindness at Christmas campaign. For more information visit www.rspca.org.uk/winterappeal