A 'severely emaciated' dog was found cruelly abandoned and tied to a tree in Bury. The American bulldog cross, who has been named Murphy by RSPCA rescuers, was spotted by a member of the public near Clifton Country Park on the morning of Saturday, April 3.
He was in an 'awful condition' and had pressure sores on his hips and ankles, the RSPCA said. His spine and ribs were visible because he was so thin.
Animal experts believe he had been neglected, starved and squashed in a small cage before he was abandoned. He does not have a microchip so his owner has not yet been tracked down.
Murphy is now being cared for a veterinary team who are helping him gain weight. Once his health has stabilised, he will be transferred to a RSPCA animal hospital before being found a home.
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RSPCA Inspector Jess Araujo, who is investigating for the animal welfare charity, urged anyone with information about how Murphy was abandoned to come forward.
She said: "A member of the public spotted Murphy tied to a tree. They realised what an awful condition he was in and kindly rushed him to a vet. It’s heartbreaking that there are irresponsible people who simply dump animals when they are no longer wanted.
"He is severely emaciated and with pressure sores on his hips and ankles, and a rash all over his body. He is so thin that his spine and ribs are visible. Whoever was supposed to be caring for Murphy failed him. They neglected him and starved him before abandoning him and simply walking away.
"We suspect he’s been kept squashed in a small cage where he did not have the space to move or turn around because of the nature and locations of his sores."
Jess added: "Murphy is an entire male American bulldog cross, who is thought to be around one to two years old. He weighed just 16.6kg when he arrived, around 10kg under the weight he should be. He doesn’t have a microchip so we’ve been unable to track down his owner.
"I am appealing for anyone with any information on Murphy and how he came to be abandoned to contact the RSPCA appeal line on 0300 123 8018.”
