Dog covered in cigarette burns

30 August 2006

A DOG that was found starving and covered in cuts and cigarette burns was suffering so much it had to be put down.

The male Staffordshire bull terrier was found in a churchyard in Burnt Ash Hill, Mottingham earlier this month.

The dog was so starved that it was half its natural body weight and filthy suffering from scores of injuries over his body that was making him fit.

Shopkeeper Heidi Anderton of the dog grooming parlour Absolutely Animals in Burnt Ash Hill raised the alarm when a passer-by alerted her to the abused animal.

She said: "Someone came into my shop and told me they thought a dog had been run over but when I saw him it was clear that he had been mistreated.

"He was emaciated and his head was so big compared to his body.

"It was disgusting, I am used to working with healthy animals so to see a dog like that was awful."

Ms Anderton took the sick animal to the vet and the RSPCA were called but it was decided that the dog was suffering so much it had to be put down.

RSPCA officer Raquel Schwarcz said: "This dog was in a terrible condition.

"The dirt in his mouth and on his nails indicates that he could have been digging his way out of somewhere or something. We would very much like to hear from anyone who knows who this poor dog belonged to."

Anyone with information can call the RSPCA in confidence on 0870 5555999.