An XL Bully pup found in a bin bag dumped behind a Tesco was severely sick and “barely alive” when it was discovered, animal welfare charity the RSPCA has said.
The six-month-old dog was found abandoned in a tied bin liner behind the supermarket in Nottinghamshire on Sunday, January 7, unable to stand due to extensive injuries. Officers described “sickening” treatment that left the puppy with breaks in its legs, ribs, back and neck, underweight, and sick with mange.
In February, it will become illegal to own the breed unless it is on an index of exempted dogs. The abused dog, the RSPCA said, is one of several such cases, as the organisation has recently recorded a rise in neglect.
Speaking to Nottinghamshire Live, RSPCA said it was unable to confirm for certain whether the male dog was an XL Bully, as he was so severely abused.
The people who found the puppy behind the Tesco called the RSPCA for aid, and officers were able to take the animal to a nearby vet.
But he died while on the treatment table despite the best efforts of medics, and representatives for the charity are now hunting those responsible for the neglect.
RSPCA animal rescue officer Beccie Doherty, who oversaw the dog’s retrieval and treatment over the weekend, said it was “sickening” to see someone treat an animal in such a “heartless way”.
She said the people who found him “kindly tried their best” to make the dog feel comfortable, but he was “barely alive”.
Ms Doherty said: “This poor dog was terrified and in pain and covered in his own waste as he was unable to stand to go to the toilet.
“It’s sickening that someone chose to treat an animal in this heartless way, and even more distressing to think they simply dumped him to die in a bag they decided to throw away.”
The officer added that the incident is the “sad reality of animal rescue at a time we’re seeing a rise in such cases”, and called on the public to help find the perpetrators.
She said: “I just hope someone will recognise him and help us track down those responsible for leaving him to die in a bag with such horrendous injuries and in such a neglected state.
“Anyone with information can contact me in complete confidence, by leaving me a message on our inspector’s appeal line number on 0300 123 8018.”
