Puppy found freezing alongside rubbish after being flytipped - now at Birmingham Animal Hospital

The Staffordshire bull terrier, named Merry by her rescuers due to her friendliness, was rescued after a concerned member of the public found her amongst the rubbish in Smethwick in the early hours of 20 November.

RSPCA staff arrived to find Merry freezing and neglected - left in the rubbish in the snow. She was found to have a lump in her stomach and blood in her urine, and was rushed for urgent veterinary treatment.

Thankfully, she is now receiving the care she needs at the RSPCA Birmingham Animal Hospital.

RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer, Charlotte Holder, who is investigating for the animal welfare charity, said: “It’s particularly sad to think that people could do this to a vulnerable pet especially when the weather turns really wintery and on the run-up to Christmas.

"The conditions were awful as it was freezing cold - it seems she was literally thrown out with the rubbish and left in such awful and terrifying situation.”

Charlotte returned to the scene where Merry was rescued and had to scramble across the snow-covered scrap and rubbish to check if any other animals had been abandoned - fortunately none were found.

She added: “It was very lucky she was spotted trying to shelter under some rubbish in the snow or I dread to think what would have happened to her. The person who found her could see her stomach injury so reported the matter to us.

“We’re keen to find out where she came from and who left her when she desperately needed veterinary care”.

“Fortunately she is now receiving the care she needs with the RSPCA and once she is returned to health we will look for a new loving home for her.”

The RSPCA has launched its Join The Christmas Rescue campaign, to highlight the battle frontline rescuers face ahead of what is expected to be another bleak winter for thousands of animals like Merry.

New figures released by the animal welfare charity this week show the number of animals abandoned in England and Wales during the winter period has increased by a massive 51% in just three years.

Charlotte added: “Right now, far too many animals are suffering but as long as animals are in desperate need this Christmas, we won’t stop. So please Join The Christmas Rescue and together we will bring joy and safety to animals.”

Anyone with first-hand information about any of the three dogs is asked to contact the RSPCA appeals line number, in confidence, on 0300 123 8018 quoting incident number 01394748.