Spaniel dumped in bush in Kent after having claws ‘forcibly removed’

RSPCA launch investigation after wounded spaniel is abandoned by the side of the road

The RSPCA has launched an investigation after a spaniel, covered in wounds, was found dumped in a bush beside a busy Kent road

A member of the public found the black and white pooch dumped in a bush on the A20 in Harrietsham – half way between Ashford and Maidstone – on Tuesday evening (2 May).

The kind-hearted finder took the frightened and injured dog – a one-year-old bitch who has now been named Flick – to a nearby vet who alerted the animal welfare charity.

The RSPCA is now investigating and a spokesperson said: “She had no form of identification and isn’t microchipped so we’re unsure as to where she’s come from.

“She has a docked tail and some really nasty wounds on her feet and her legs. Vets believe she has had her claws forcibly and traumatically removed, while her legs are covered in pressure sores and urine scald.”

Declawing is illegal in England, under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, and owners are only entitled to dock the tails of dogs who are certified working dogs under five-days-old or for medical reasons as recommended by a vet.

“To forcibly remove a dog’s claws is an abhorrent act and is illegal under animal welfare law in this country,” a spokesman added.

“And to simply abandon her by the side of the road like rubbish when she is clearly injured and in need of veterinary treatment is unbelievably shocking.

“We’d be keen to hear from anyone who knows where Flick may have come from or who might be responsible for inflicting these injuries on her and then cruelly abandoning her.

“Anyone with any information which may aid our investigation should call our appeal line on 0300 123 8018.”

If no one comes forward to claim Flick she has already been offered a loving new home by a member of staff at the veterinary hospital.

The RSPCA is called out to collect thousands of abandoned dogs every year, and deals with almost 150,000 reports of alleged cruelty to animals, some of which have been abused or cruelly treated. If you believe an animal is being cruelly treated or you come across a pet who has been abandoned please call the RSPCA’s 24-hour emergency line on 0300 1234 999.

To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals, please visit: www.rspca.org.uk/give or text LOVE to 87023 to give £3 (Text costs £3 + one standard network rate message).

We here at Communityad are big animal lovers and although we would not like to share news like this we understand the importance and spreading this message in the hope that the culprit will be found. We also hope this will raise awareness to people across the Country that cruelty to animals is NOT and NEVER WILL BE acceptable.