RSPCA searching for owners of ‘barely alive’ dog found in Manchester

The RSPCA is appealing for information about a dog that was brought into a pet hospital in Manchester so severely malnourished and injured that he had to be put down to stop his suffering.

The male crossbreed was taken into PDSA’s Montague-Panton pet hospital at Redgate Lane on Friday 6 October by a member of the public who had found him. He had bald, bleeding ears, a swollen and bruised back leg, a necrotic infection in his tail and a number of pressure sores.

The hospital contacted the RSPCA who were able to establish that the microchipped dog was 18 months old and named Chicko.

The microchip did not reveal any information about the dog’s owner, but the RSPCA have been following several lines of enquiry and believe Chicko’s owner is a man from Greater Manchester.

A postmortem did not reveal any underlying conditions, which indicates that Chicko’s emaciated state was likely the result of starvation and neglect.

RSPCA inspector Deborah Beats, who is investigating the incident, said: “Every bone in Chicko’s body was visible and it’s hard to believe a dog who looked like this could have still been alive. Everyone involved in this case has been left extremely upset by it and we’re determined to find out how and why this young dog got into such an appalling state.

“We’ve managed to progress several lines of enquiry but we need the public to help us too. We’re making an urgent appeal to anyone who recognises Chicko or has information about his background or who may have owned him, to come forward.”

Anyone who can help the enquiry should contact the RSPCA’s appeals line on 0300 123 8018 quoting reference number 01165392.