A neglected and injured one-month-old puppy has been found dumped 'close to death'.
The RSPCA is now investigating to find the person responsible after the male terrier-type pup was discovered by a member of the public in Redworth Road, Shildon, Darlington, at about 10.30am last Thursday.
They wrapped him in a blanket and reported the incident to the animal welfare charity.
The terrified pup was found to be underweight, hypothermic, was bleeding from his rear end and had a wound on his head which had scarred so was not fresh.
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RSPCA inspector Krissy Raine, who is investigating, said: “This poor puppy was in such a state - he was injured and bleeding and suffering from hypothermia.
"He was close to death so I rushed him to a nearby vets for emergency treatment.
"His body temperature was so low they warmed him up slowly with heat mats and he was severely dehydrated so was put on a drip.
"He had a docked tail which we believe may have caused some bleeding and had a wound on his head which was not fresh.
"The vet found he also had parvovirus - which is highly contagious and can be deadly - so he was placed in isolation on a drip and over the weekend the poor boy really was fighting to survive.
"Staff named him Steve and I am just so pleased to see how well he is doing now and he was tucking into some food which is a good indicator that he is now doing well."
Krissy is now appealing for anyone who has information as to who owned Steve, who was not microchipped, or who may have seen anything suspicious in the area at the time.
She added: "Steve is such a lovely boy and I am keen to find out who is responsible for leaving him in this state.
"It looks like he has suffered from neglect in his short life and then simply discarded like rubbish - it is really appalling.
"Steve was on death’s door but really is a fighter and is now doing so well."
Steve remains in the care of the vet and Krissy is hoping he will be placed in a foster home and will then be rehomed through the RSPCA.
Anyone with information should call the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018.
To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care please visit our website or call our donation line on 0300 123 8181.
Do you have a dog story to share? Email paige.freshwater@reachplc.com.
