Photo: Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council
Construction workers freed the dog and called the local dog warden, Craig Brown. When Brown arrived, he found the poor female pooch emaciated and severely dehydrated. "It appears that the dog, which is around one-year-old, chased a rabbit into a hole and then got stuck," said Brown in a statement.
The dog was rushed to The Croft Veterinary Clinic where her chances of survival looked slim. She weighed only 4.2 kilograms (9.2 pounds) -- less than half her normal body weight; the attending veterinarian estimated that the dog had spent five to six days trapped without food and water, Michael Dunthorne, veterinary nursing manager, told Paw Nation. But the tiny dog fought her way back to health and is "doing quite well," Dunthorne said. She has gained a bit of weight and weighs 4.35 kilograms now.
"When she first came into the clinic, she was very depressed in appearance," Dunthorne told Paw Nation. "But she has come out of her shell and is eating and drinking and seems happy."
They have named the dog, who was not wearing a collar or identification tags, Hope. "What I would like to see now is Hope reunited with her owner," stated Brown in a statement. "She isn't microchipped so I would appeal for her owner to contact the borough council."
Thus far, no one has come forward to claim Hope. "We're required to wait seven days, but after that, we're going to put her up for re-homing if no one claims her," said Dunthorne. For now, Hope is staying at The Croft Veterinary Clinic where, Dunthorne said, "everyone adores her."
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Poor little thing....she's a real cutie. Hope she's in a happy home soon.
That's not 6 days without food. That's weeks or months of neglect or homelessness. If that dog had a previous owner, he or she doesn't deserve to get this starved animal back. Hope she finds an excellent new home.
I was thinking the same thing...No way is that six days without food or water..Looks like months..
Keep in mind SMOKA "The Miracle Cat " survived 26 days under boards from a fire. I agree this dog looks like its been under-fed for quite some time.
I completely agree. I have a female JRT and she recently had puppies. After the birth, she refused to leave her pups even for food or water, for over a week. I'd sit with her and feed her 1 kibble at a time & kept her on pedialite to avoid dehydration. In over a week she looked nothing like this dog. Also, JRT are flexable like little rats. I've watched my female & now 2 pups play and burrow into the tiniest spots. They will NOT stop until they figure out how to get in and out of areas. If, they absolutely can't the will wimper up a storm until the obsticle no longer exsist.
Why would anyone believe the 2 details of the story that the dog chased a rabbit or that the dog was stuck in the hole? That dog has been starving for about 6 week or more, it had to have drunk water during that time. So it wasn't always in the hole. The story is just an excuse by the authorities to deflect any investigation of possible animal abuse and 15 minutes of fame.
bob the story said the dog was trapped for 5 or 6 DAYS, not WEEKS as you wrote. Of course the dog would had died if it was 6 weeks without water. In fact, it could live about a week maybe with no water.
I agree-it looks like a long time of neglect. The dog might have been stuck there only a day or two! She is awfully cute! I hope she finds a great new home.
The poor little dog... good thing the construction guys saw her. Why didn't her owners look for her when she went missing? I wouldn't give her back to her previous owners... she needs a home where she'll be loved and looked after. Hope she winds up with a loving home and doesn't have too much emotional scarring.
what a nice story
to read
Please do a follow-up and let us know if the dog makes it.
Yes, please do a follow up. I so hope she finds a good loving home. There is no way that is only 6 days without food. The poor baby has been starved. How sweet is her face. Breaks my heart but so happy this is having a happy ending.
I am glad to see that few people are fooled by the reporting into believing that dog has only not eaten for 6 days, that is weeks or months of starvation as the body has used up muscle to survive aftr all the fat was used up - i am not a vet and i can see that - i am appalled that the vets at that clinic gave that estimation (unless the reporter got it wrong). There either isn't an owner or they neglected that dog and she doesn't need to go back there anyway.
This was a happy ending, thank goodness. I think it is sad that we as humans think the worse of each other, without knowing the facts. I understand humans abuse and neglect animals, but without knowing the facts, we automatically assume the worst of each other. This dog would not survive without food and water for several weeks. And because it is a small dog it will show weight loss sooner, than a larger dog. How can we assume the owner(s) had not looked for it???? We need to remember... compassion for one another. I pray this little dog is loved by another soon.
I rescued a dog that looked like that. He is a chihuahua and he survived a whole winter season in a backyard with two rotties. He would trip over a blade of grass when walking outdoors and he keeled over when he tried to urinate. If you ever have to save a dog like this first hydrate them. Gatorade worked great! Then they will begin to eat a little. I'm glad they found this dog and saved her, but it looks like she was hunting rabbits because her owner was starving her to death!
"Re-homing"? WTF?
Yes, re-homing. It means the same as "putting an animal up for adoption". This story takes place in England....you know, British people. Some of the names of things are different to those of Americans. Doesn't make it wrong, just different. Jeez, broaden your horizons...read a bit...maybe then you won't waste your time making an idiotic comment and making yourself sound stupid.
To all those "assuming" that the dog was neglected rather than just accepting the story as it is, get a life. The dog most certainly can look like this after no food for about a week and no water...dehydration can make you look thinner fast than going without food. Poor lil girl...hope she does well. Cheers little one! :)
I am very HAPPY that Hope was found & is making good progress!! Unless the owners are truely sad & looking for Hope I hope that Hope will find a good home & if needs one email me for I stay at home & could always use a best friend with me :)
Are the Brits that dumb? Six days and look like that, no. But she is on her way to recovery and thats what counts. Good for her!
maybe one of the vets should adopt her. and what the h**l is "re-homing"? didn't people used to say, "find her a new home"? "put her up for adoption"? i HATE all these new and idiotic terms. and just when you thought you heard a stupid new term, a new stupider term crops up. people sound like idiots when they talk now.... but any way.. glad for the dog. and if her person does show up, i hope they screen him or her before returning the dog. maybe go with them to their house, just to make sure... a good owner would understand. good luck, little dog!!!!