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"Worst Ever" Animal Cruelty

Staff at Wood Green Animal Shelter near Godmanchester called it one of the worst cases of animal cruelty they have ever seen.

A dog, which they have since named Rusty, was brought in in July in a terrible condition.  He had no hair at all on his body and just a few wispy bits on his face and tail, his body was covered in lacerations, his ribs were protruding and he was extremely dehydrated.  The nails on his feet had grown so much that they had curled under.

But now an appeal to raise money for his treatment has smashed through its target.  Staff wanted to raise £8,000, but the figure currently stands at over £9,000.

We've got a photo gallery of Rusty showing his progress here...

There's also a video which you can watch by clicking here...

Rusty needed urgent medical treatment and after arrived at the shelter received round the clock care from vets and nurses.  Staff at the shelter are keeping everyone up to date with his progress via a blog which you can read here... View Rusty's Blog

Dennis Baker, the CEO at Wood Green said: "We are all extremely shocked and distressed at Rusty's condition.  There was no doubt that he was near to death.  Our main priority now is to make him as comfortable as possible while we try to treat his many ailments.  All of the staff have been working extremely hard to ensure that Rusty survives and receives the best love and attention that we can give him.

"To allow an animal to reach this state of neglect is criminal and would warrant prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act. 

Rusty is now making good progress.  His hair is beginning to grow back all over his body, and he is much happier around both humans and other dogs.  He has been spending a lot of time with Jan Tufnail, his carer, and you can hear Mathew Williams' full interview with her and Rusty's vet Rachel Radwell by clicking here.

If you would like to donate you can visit www.justgiving.com/rustysappeal, or call their donations hotline on 0844 875 0150.  There will also be updates on Rusty's condition on a blog on the Wood Green Animal Shelter website.