Emaciated dog found in woodland may have been deliberately blinded

An emaciated dog that collapsed in woodland may have been deliberately blinded, say the RSPCA officers who found him.

The ‘extremely underweight’ Akita was found with pus coming from his eyes, a matted coat and sores all over his body.

Officers who rescued the dog – nicknamed Peter – initially believed that he couldn’t open his eyes because of an infection.

But vets now think he may have suffered ‘a blunt trauma to the head’, either from a deliberate attack or from being hit by a car.

They are keen to get in touch with Peter’s owners to find out how he ended up slumped in woodland off Kent Street in Wigan on Thursday afternoon.

Mum of New Zealand victim dies of 'broken heart' after son's funeral

He was rushed to the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital.

Inspector Helen Smith said: ‘He was very skinny, you could see his ribs.

‘His breathing was also shallow and his coat was matted. The caller reported that he kept trying to stand up but would collapse back on to the ground.’

She added: ‘He’s very thin and has sores all over his body. He was dehydrated and lethargic when he first arrived.

‘Initially we believe he was blinded in both eyes and couldn’t open his eyes due to a nasty infection. But vets believe he may have had a blunt trauma to the head – either the result of a deliberate attack or a road traffic collision – which is causing the swelling to his eyes.’

Vets will continue to treat Peter amid the wider investigation into his condition.

Inspector Smith will carry out enquiries in the local area but is also appealing to the public for help in tracing his owner.

Jordyn Woods spends quality time with her mum following Tristan Thompson scandal

She said: ‘He may have been hit by a car before running off into the woods or he may have been abandoned there so I’m really keen to track down his owner and find out more about him.’

Peter, who wasn’t microchipped, is believed to be around seven-years-old.

Anyone with any information that could help should contact the RSPCA’s appeal line on 0300 123 8018.