'Worst case' stray gets a new chance

1st May 2008

RSPCA chiefs are appealing for information after an emaciated dog, weighing just half what it should, was rescued from the streets.

Inspector Mike Scargill said it was ‘one of the worst cases’ he’d seen in seven-and-a-half years with the animal welfare organisation.

He is urging anyone who recognises the animal, pictured right, or knows its owner to get in touch.

The Staffordshire/boxer cross was found wandering the streets near Kiveton Park Station, Sheffield, by a taxi driver and took it to the RSPCA’s animal shelter in Chesterfield.

The dog weighed just 12.8kg, instead of the 25kg he should have weighed for his breed and size.

Richard Woodwards, centre manager, said: “When he was brought into the centre he was sick in the car and all his stomach contained was different types of plastic bags he had obviously eaten to suppress his hunger.

“When he came down to the centre we thought it was a straightforward stray dog case but when we opened the car we were gobsmacked by what we saw.”

The dog, believed to be two or three years old, has been called Chance by staff at the Spital Lane shelter because he has been given a second chance.

It is thought he had been mistreated rather than just wandered the streets for any period of time as his coat, teeth and ears were all in good condition.

Insp Scargill, said: “It is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to subject an animal to this amount of suffering and as a result, could result in 51 weeks in prison and/or a £20,000 fine.”

Anyone with information or who is interested in giving Chance a home is urged to call the RSPCA on (01246) 273358.

Bolsover District Council is urging people to come forward to give a stray dog a happy home. For more information, call the council’s dog warden on (01246) 242373.

Labradors looking for new homes

24th April 2008

An urgent appeal has been launched to help find homes for 82 labradors taken from one location by the RSPCA.

Ten of the animals have now found temporary shelter with the charity in Chesterfield, from where it is hoped they can be re-homed.

The dogs were all removed from one location in Norfolk after their owner became unable to care for them. They were then signed over to the care of the RSPCA before being moved to various animal shelters across the country

The charity said most of the dogs were healthy when they came into their care, but many have been treated for ear mites and lice and some may develop hip dysplasia problems caused by inter-breeding.

None of them were used to people and had never been house-trained or trained to walk on a lead.

The dogs are described as nervous and in need of special homes with owners who have the time and patience to help them adapt to everyday life.

Chesterfield’s dogs are black or chocolate coloured and most of them are aged between four and five years-old.

For more information, contact the Spital Lane shelter between 10am and 4pm, on (01246) 273358.

Pictured: Andrew Helliwell with one of the abandoned Labradors

Chickens put rescue centre into a flap!

27th March 2008

Over-run animal rescuers are in a flap after taking in 46 chickens, which are laying over 30 eggs every day!

Staff at the Chesterfield RSPCA Centre at Spital are now desperate to re-home the hens – which were part of a collection of 80 kept by an overwhelmed breeder.

Richard Woodwards, centre manager, said: “All the hens are in lovely condition and are very friendly, but we are struggling to cope with the sheer numbers.

“They are laying dozens of eggs every day – staff have been taking eggs home and eating loads of omelettes.”

Mr Woodwards said chickens are ideal for people with a big garden who would like their own free range eggs.

“Since Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall raised the awareness of free range chickens, it has become the ‘in-thing’.”

RSPCA re-homing experts can help with advice on the care needs of the hens – including suitable sheds, runs and feed – and will inspect homes before allowing people to adopt the poultry.

Helping hands: Volunteer Lewis Edwards and animal care assistant Rebecca Kennel with the rescued chickens

Dog is found chained to gate

27th March 2008

RSPCA Inspectors are asking the public for help in tracing the person who abandoned a little dog on Easter Monday – tying him to the Spital centre gates with a rusty chain.

The terrified Jack Russell/Yorkshire Terrier cross was dirty and matted and smelling of petrol when he was found.

Mr Woodward said: “He was in a really poor state and looks like he has been living outdoors. We took him inside, gave him a meal and cleaned him up.

“He is a very sweet little dog, about two to three years old, but is very scared and needs lots of love.”

The dog – nicknamed Yorkie – will be kept for 21 days while checks are carried out.

Anyone with information about Yorkie should call the centre on 01246 273358.

In safe hands: Yorkie with animal care assistant Andrea Reeves

Cheers! A cash boost for RSPCA

20th March 2008

Caring pub staff and customers have raised £500 for needy animals from a year-long fund-raising drive.

The Red Lion, on Whittington Moor, staged various events throughout the year to raise the money for Chesterfield's RSPCA animal centre.

They included a car boot sale, Body Shop party and St George's Day events to bring in the cash - the fourth year the pub has collected funds for the cause.

Richard Woodwards, manager of the Spital Lane centre, said: "It's brilliant they've done fund-raising events for us again. What makes it special is they do it year after year, so it's a good sum to get on a yearly basis and we'd like to thank them and their customers."

Pictured: Richard Woodwards receives £500 from Red Lion landlady Maureen Tropman.