Animal rescuers save thinnest dog they have ever seen

Animal rescuers save thinnest dog they have ever seen alive that resorted to eating glass and batteries after being abandoned and left to starve

  • Eric the dog was found in an empty council house in Acrington on March 2
  • Rescuers had to place Eric into a special metallic thermal blanket for warmth
  • RSPCA inspectors are seeking help in trying to track down Eric’s owners
  • Eric is described as an un-neutered male bull breed type and is recovering  

These shocking photos show the ‘thinnest dog ever seen alive’ which resorted to eating bits of glass and old batteries because it abandoned and left starving.

The dog, who has been named Eric by veterinary staff, was so emaciated that the pet’s ribs could be seen clearly poking through his fur and he could not stand or lift his head.

He was found languishing in the garden of an empty council house in Accrington, Lancashire, by a member of the public on Saturday, March 2.

Eric, pictured, was rescued from the garden of an empty council house in Accrington, Lancashire having been abandoned by his callous owner

RPCA inspectors said Eric, pictured, was the thinnest dog they have seen survive

RPCA inspectors said Eric, pictured, was the thinnest dog they have seen survive 

Inspector Nina Small said: 'As well as being the thinnest dog I've ever seen alive, he had very overgrown nails and was absolutely covered in urine'

Inspector Nina Small said: ‘As well as being the thinnest dog I’ve ever seen alive, he had very overgrown nails and was absolutely covered in urine’ 

Eric was so weak when rescued that he promptly collapsed and had to be wrapped in metallic thermal blankets to keep him warm.

Heart-breaking photos show his claws which were so long and over-grown that they curled over.

Now after having been given round-the-clock care, Eric is on the road to recovery while an investigation has been launched to trace his owners.

Eric is described as an unneutered male bull breed type and is white with dark brown patches.

RSPCA inspector Nina Small said: ‘As well as being the thinnest dog I’ve ever seen alive, he had very overgrown nails and was absolutely covered in urine.

‘His faeces had pieces of glass and metal as big as a 50 pence piece in it, and bits of batteries.

Eric also had severely overgrown nails, pictured; a further example of the neglect

Eric also had severely overgrown nails, pictured; a further example of the neglect 

Since his rescue earlier this month, Eric has put on more than a kilo of weight as he recovers

Since his rescue earlier this month, Eric has put on more than a kilo of weight as he recovers

‘I believe poor Eric has been confined somewhere out of sight, eating whatever he’s been able to get in his mouth, perhaps in a garage or a shed.’

Eric was hospitalised for a week and continues to be on a recovery diet.

‘He’s put on nearly a kilo,’ said Inspector Small.

‘He’s now able to stand and can take a few steps and it’s looking like he’s turned a corner, but he still has a long way to go.

‘He’s just gone to a foster home where he is continuing to get the TLC he needs to hopefully continue to recover.’

She added: ‘He was in the yard of an empty council house on Ribblesdale Avenue, near to the cricket club and playing fields.

‘The finder was walking his daughter back from a local park when he saw him and went back to get him.

‘I have made enquiries locally, but no one recognises him.

‘He isn’t microchipped – as is required by law – and has not been reported as a stray to the dog warden, so at the moment there is no way of tracing his owner.’

If anyone has any information please contact me on our appeal line 0300 123 8018.

RSPCA inspectors are searching for Eric's owners with a view to prosecuting them

RSPCA inspectors are searching for Eric’s owners with a view to prosecuting them

 

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