Abandoned dog in 'appalling' way

The dog will have to be shaved before being properly examined

Animal welfare officers have described the condition of an abandoned dog as "disgusting and appalling".

The animal, found in Cornwall, was in such a poor state that experts had difficulty identifying the sex or breed of the dog.

It was discovered by a member of the public in Liskeard on Saturday and taken to a local vet.

Caradon District Council's senior animal welfare officer said the dog's owner must be found.

I don't have the words to express just how awful this case is Checkie Taylor, Caradon District Council

Checkie Taylor said: "We think the dog is a poodle, but it's hard to be sure because her fur is completely encrusted.

"Her coat is so matted with excrement that she can't open her eyes properly and one of her ears is basically glued to her head.

Ms Taylor believes the grey bitch has been locked up and left to sit in its own faeces.

"I don't have the words to express just how awful this case is.

"It's probably the worst I've ever seen in my five years as an animal welfare officer.

Public appeal

The animal welfare office said the dog would have to be completely shaved by a vet before being properly examined to determine how bad her condition is.

Welfare officer Jon Lane has appealed to the public for help in tracing the dog's owners.

He said people could contact the council or the RSPCA in confidence.

"This is definitely a case of once seen, never forgotten. Anyone who has encountered this dog will remember it."