Bald puppy 'left to die' in freezing conditions

A 10-week-old puppy is lucky to be alive after she was dumped in a bag and left in a wood in freezing conditions in Stockton-on-Tees.

Thankfully, two members of the public discovered the puppy left in a bag for life in woods near Lowfields Avenue in Ingleby Barwick at about 12.30pm on December 28 (Thursday). They named her Elle.

The small dog is virtually bald, covered in scabs, very thin and was freezing cold and hungry when she was found.

Temperatures had plummeted to about -2 when the puppy was dumped. Elle was lucky to have been found before five inches of snow fell in the area, conditions which would certainly have led to her death.

She was brought to a vet's clinic in Stockton by the couple who found her.

Despite her ordeal, Elle is very friendly, eating and drinking well, and is now receiving treatment for her skin condition.

As she is so bald and small, there is no clue what breed she is but Inspector Raine is hoping she will bounce back and recover quickly. When she is well enough she will hopefully go to a foster before she can be permanently re-homed.

From Christmas Eve to Boxing Day this year, the RSPCA received 2,479 calls to its national cruelty line. From these calls there were more than 700 complaints and 193 of these were concerning abandoned animals over the Christmas period.

If you are concerned about an animal, please call the RSPCA’s 24-hour cruelty line on 0300 1234 999.

This Christmas the RSPCA is asking the public to support its Kindness at Christmas campaign. For more information click here