An injured and starving dog was found abandoned in Fife over the weekend, suffering with an open wound that had become infested with flies.
Staff from the Scottish SPCA were called to rescue the young male labrador crossbreed after he was discovered by a dog walker at the foot of an embankment near Binnend in Burntisland on Saturday.
Toby, as he has now been named by staffA, was said to be painfully thin and had an open wound on his head which had become infected.
He also had further injuries to his face, with swelling around his eye and muzzle, prompting concerns about how he came to be in such a sorry state.
Toby was taken to a local vet surgery for treatment before being transferred to the SSPCA’s Edinburgh and Lothians Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre for further care and rehabilitation.
While staff expect Toby to recover well from his ordeal, SSPCA inspector Nicola Liddell has urged anyone with information about the dog or his owners to come forward.
”This poor soul was very lucky to be found as he was tucked away out of sight down an embankment off a remote farm track,” she said. ”The man who found Toby was out walking and it was only when his dog wouldn’t come away from the area that he went to have a look.
”He appeared aggressive at first but this was purely through fear. Once I caught him he seemed to realise that we were here to help him and he was so grateful to have been found.
”Toby was very wobbly on his feet but he managed to clamber into the back of my van where he lay down. The vet who examined him thinks his wounds may be a bite from another dog or some other sort of trauma.”
Inspector Liddell added that one of the wounds to his head was particularly bad and said it was clear he had been starving for some time.
She continued: ”Flies were buzzing around his head and hundreds of fly eggs had been laid around the wounds. Clearly he was suffering not just from the injuries to his head and face but also from his extremely thin condition.
”We really need to find out how he got into such a dreadful state so any information could help us track down who is responsible for him.”
Thankfully Toby is physically beginning to recover from his troubles and Inspector Liddell added: ”He is doing great, his wounds are looking so much better and he is much brighter in himself.
”All he wants is cuddles. He is such a sweet wee dog.”
Anyone who recognises Toby and knows who might have owned him should call the SSPCA’s animal helpline on 03000 999 999.
Anyone found guilty of causing an animal unnecessary suffering can face stiff penalties including up to 12 months in prison, a £20,000 fine or both.