An animal rescue officer from the Scottish SPCA has rehomed a dog she took a shine to after a lengthy rescue operation.
Scotland’s animal welfare charity received reports of an injured stray dog roaming close to the A90 in South Queensferry in January.
The dog, Bea, was seen dashing across the busy dual-carriageway and was hit by a car at one point.
Despite repeated attempts to track down the terrified female border collie, it was not until six weeks later that she was caught in a trap which had been left by Scottish SPCA officers in an area where she was known to have made a den.
Bea suffered a severely dislocated leg which had gone untreated while she was roaming outdoors. As a result of damage to the leg vets had no option but to amputate.
Bea is getting used to coping with life on three legs, however, and her new owner, animal rescue officer Melissa Maitland, is delighted to have been able to offer her a loving home.
She said: “I cannot take the credit for Bea’s rescue as my local colleagues, Connie O’Neill and Stephanie Grant, spent a huge amount of time on and off shift, day and night, trying to track her down.
“She was incredibly scared and had become so used to being outdoors on her own that she simply ran away as soon as she caught sight of us.
“It’s clear she’s had little human contact in her life and she’s been used for breeding. She’s clearly been through a very traumatic experience and we’re taking things very gradually with her but she’s proving to be a real survivor.”