RSPCA: Dog suffers sickening injuries following horrific attack

Friday, 5 February 2010 12:00 AM

The RSPCA has launched an investigation after a dog was found so badly beaten that its skull had been smashed and one of the animal's eye balls had popped out.

The female Staffordshire bull terrier cross was discovered dumped in a field near East Bridgford, near Nottingham, yesterday (Thursday) morning. It appeared to have been bludgeoned with a blunt weapon such as a cricket bat or crowbar, before being callously thrown over a hedge to suffer a slow and painful death.

RSPCA inspector Mike Scargill found the dog fighting for life and unable to move when he arrived at the scene, off Kneeton Road shortly before 10.30am. He took the distressed animal to a nearby vet, who made the decision to put the dog to sleep prevent it further suffering.

Inspector Scargill said: "You get a couple of cases every year that are so disturbing you wake up in the middle of the night thinking about them. This is definitely one of those cases.

"I managed to take the dog to a vet, but to see her struggling to move in the state she was in was extremely upsetting. Even the police officer who was with me was visibly shocked by what we found.

"If someone can't keep a dog, for whatever reason, there are plenty of outlets for them to turn to for help. Anything would have been kinder than to simply batter the poor thing and then just throw it over a hedge.

"We need the public's help to find whoever is responsible. If anybody saw anything, or thinks they know who might have carried out this horrific attack, I would urge them to call the RSPCA immediately and in confidence on 0300 1234 999."

The dog was white and tan in colour and thought to be about seven years old. It was discovered by a member of the public who spotted the dog lying next to a hedgerow. They managed to cover it with a blanket, before the police and RSPCA arrived.

"Initially it looked like the dog had been hit with a hammer as there was one puncture wound in the centre of her head. Its left eye ball had come out and it couldn't move down its right side. There weren't any footprints around the dog either, so it looked like someone had just come along, thrown her over the hedge and then driven off.

"A post mortem showed there were no scuff marks on its paws or body, which would suggest it hadn't been hit by a vehicle. Instead it showed massive trauma to the left hand side of the head, consistent with it being battered by a blunt weapon, like a cricket bat," added Inspector Scargill.

Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, the maximum sentence for causing unnecessary suffering is six months in custody, a ban on keeping animals and/or a fine of £20,000.

-ends-

Notes to editors

Inspector Mike Scargill is available for interview at limited times on Friday. A photograph of the dog can be sent out on request by emailing press@rspca.org.uk or calling 0300 123 0244.

Video footage of the dog was taken by the RSPCA but is considered too upsetting to show.

RSPCA, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 9RS
Press office direct lines: 0300 123 0244/0288 Fax: 0303 123 0099
Duty press officer (evenings and weekends) Tel 08448 222888 and ask for pager number 828825
Email: press@rspca.org.uk Website: www.rspca.org.uk

Tags: