A "terrified" and "emaciated" puppy who was dumped in a bush has found his forever home.
The male bulldog-type pup, now called Chance, was found by a dog walker in a bush at the side of a footpath close to the back of Kirkdale Cemetery, near Seeds Lane, on Sunday, February 6.
RSPCA inspector Jo McDonald was sent to investigate and rushed the "terrified" and "emaciated" pup to RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital.
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While in their care Chance had an operation to correct one of his legs and was then sent to the RSPCA Wirral and Chester branch - where manager Kay Hawthorn fell in love with the pup, aged about three months-old.
Kay decided to give Chance a home with herself and her four other dogs instead of putting him up to be rehomed elsewhere.
She said: “I just fell in love with him and he gets on so well with my other dogs I decided to give a home and he has settled in so well.
“He was found dumped in a bush and couldn’t move and was absolutely terrified. He was curled up in a ball in the hospital and was reluctant to move, which we often find with dogs who have been dumped because clearly they are just so frightened.
“He was also found to be in an emaciated body condition - with a body score of 1 out of 9 (1 being the lowest) and had flakey skin.
“But within two weeks in my care he has almost doubled his weight to 8.2 kilos and his skin condition has been treated.
“Last week he went back to Greater Manchester Animal Hospital for a check up on his leg which he had the operation on and it has now corrected itself.
“They were going to operate on the other leg but due to the good diet he has been on it has helped it to straighten naturally and he is now walking and running around so well.”
Chance is enjoying his time with his new family which includes Eva, a German Shepherd aged 11, Bertie, a Shih Tzu aged 18, Maise a cross-breed terrier aged 12, and Toots another Shih Tzu aged four.
Kay added: “Chance enjoys playing with his football and is full of energy but loves cuddling up with the others and with me when he isn’t as busy.”
The RSPCA is still trying to find the person responsible for abandoning Chance.
Inspector MacDonald said: “The poor pup was obviously really scared and I am just so grateful the dog walker found him. Chance was left alone in a bush and would have died from a terrifying death from starvation if he had not been found.
“I fear the person who had this pup may have been a dog breeder and when they saw these deformities and realised it would cost money to have the pet treated, callously decided to throw him away like a piece of rubbish and left him frightened and alone.
“I am so pleased he is enjoying life in his new home Kay who will spoil him with all the love and attention he needs.”
Anyone with information about who is responsible should contact the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018.
