A dog found dumped and crawling with maggots was so badly neglected she was mistaken for a pile of rags.
The pet was put to sleep to end her suffering after two children spotted her and said ‘I think it is dead’ in Thirlmere Park in Liverpool.
They drew the attention of a woman who drove her to a vet at about 7pm on Tuesday, July 27.
Her hair was found to be terribly matted with faeces in it and her fur had grown into long and heavy pieces which looked like extra legs.
The dog breed could not be confirmed due to the state she was in, but she was believed to be a female shih tzu.
Vets also failed to establish her age because they could not open her mouth to check her teeth due to the matted fur covering her face.
The RSPCA said she had ‘endured years of suffering’ and vowed to find the owner responsible.
The park walker who found her, speaking anonymously, said: ‘I just saw two young children saying “I think it is dead” which drew my attention to something but I had no idea it was a dog as it looked like a pile of rags.
‘I wrapped her in a blanket and tried to give her some water – she was breathing but not moving.
‘I called the vets and they told me to take her straight in. I actually thought she had passed away in my car on the way.
‘I was so upset and shaking. I still feel sick and tearful thinking about this poor dog – it was horrific. I really hope someone knows who is responsible.’
RSPCA inspector Lisa Lupson said: ‘This dog has clearly endured years of suffering and I have never seen such a terrible case of matting in my time as an RSPCA inspector.
‘Sadly the photograph speaks a thousand words and the dog even looks as though it has more than four legs but it is matted fur which has grown into long and heavy pieces.
‘You can just make out her eye near the green buttons on the vet’s table.
‘There were maggots crawling on the fur which could have been from a wound underneath the mats or from all the faeces which had built up in her coat over a prolonged period.
‘She was in an absolutely horrific state and I have found it terribly upsetting to deal with this case.
‘I am now hoping someone will know the person who owned this dog and allowed her to suffer so terribly before callously dumping her to die a lingering death.
‘I am just so grateful to the person who found her and took her to the vets and was able to give her some comfort before she passed away.
‘I am also keen to hear from anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area prior to when she was found.’
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