Mayhew Animal Home: 'Lassie' dog caused horrendous pain after legs taped up for weeks causing flesh to rot away

Wednesday, 9 December 2009 12:00 AM

Animal Home with 'worst case seen' of someone attempting to self treat a pet

London - A rough collie dog was brought to The Mayhew Animal Home on Saturday evening by two members of the public who found him wandering stray in Kenton. Both of the dogs front legs were tightly bound with parcel tape and the smell on arrival indicated the legs were severely infected.

The Mayhew veterinary team removed the layers of parcel tape to reveal additional layers of bandages, tea towels and socks wrapped around the legs; rotting and covered in bodily fluid. The skin and flesh on both the dog's legs had begun to die and to rot away as a result of being taped up.

The gangrenous condition of the legs and the pain that the dog has been in for many months may have been caused by an owner attempting to wrap the legs up to heal or remedy a slight health condition.

Mayhew Animal Care Manager, Gillian Rich, said: "What has happened to this poor dog is horrendous and inexplicable. It is a mystery to the veterinary team here why anyone could comprehend taping up an animal's legs in such a way and continue to let the animal suffer through what must have been extreme pain. We have been unable to establish any underlying medical conditions that could explain why the dog's legs may have been bandaged initially. Certainly, at The Mayhew, we recognize that people are starting to worry about the costs of veterinary care during this recession, but this case seems a horrifying example of why attempting to self treat a pet yourself can have grave consequences; as we see here with poor Hobo. Owners must go to a vet immediately if they have concerns for the health of their pet."

Rescue centres in the UK are seeing increased numbers of people arrive to hand over pets as they can no longer afford the veterinary costs. There are also high numbers of animals unvaccinated as owners believe they can scrimp on cost. The Collie, now named Hobo is currently being treated in The Mayhew Veterinary Clinic.

Media and Communications Officer
The Mayhew Animal Home
Tel: 0208 968 2443
Press Mob: 07507 491 105
Fax: 0208 969 3902
sarah@mayhewanimalhome.org
www.mayhewanimalhome.org

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The Mayhew Animal Home, Trenmar Gardens, Kensal Green, London, NW10 6BJ

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