The animal welfare charity is keen to trace the Labrador’s owners after freeing her from a tight spot.
RSPCA officers are appealing to the public to help them track down the owner of a dog who needed rescuing this week after getting stuck in a metal gate in Kent.
The animal welfare charity was contacted in the early hours of Thursday morning (31 May) by a woman who found the dog trapped between the metal bars of her garden gate.
Animal collection officer (ACO) Jade Guthrie was on call overnight and rushed to the address in Mabel Road, Swanley, to help the stricken pooch.
She said: “The dog was trapped at the waist between two of the metal bars in a garden gate.
“It looks as though she’s tried to push through the gap and got herself stuck.
“The chocolate Labrador bitch looks like she’s recently had puppies so we’re now really concerned about the welfare of her pups.”
The adult female wasn’t microchipped and wasn’t wearing a collar or ID tag. She didn’t belong to the owner of the home where she was found and it wasn’t clear where she’d come from. A Kent Fire & Rescue Service crew helped to free the poor dog.
“She was really hungry and was also covered in fleas so I’m concerned about where she may have come from and also about the welfare of her puppies,” ACO Guthrie added.
“It’s not clear whether she’s escaped from her home and whether she’s been abandoned before getting herself in a bit of a tight spot.
“Whatever happened, I’m really keen to track down her owners so I can get a bit more information about her background and to check on her puppies who are, no doubt, missing their mum.”
Anyone with information or who recognises the dog should contact the RSPCA’s appeal line on 0300 123 8018.
The dog - nicknamed Belinda - was taken to the charity’s Putney Animal Hospital where she was fed and checked over.
She’ll remain in RSPCA care while officers try to trace her owner. If no one comes forward to claim her then she will be rehomed once given the all-clear from vets.
To help the RSPCA continue rescuing dogs like Belinda please donate by visiting www.rspca.org.uk/give.