Scottish SPCA

Appeal after neglected dogs found

The Scottish SPCA has appealed for information after two dogs were found wandering in a poor condition around an Irvine housing estate.

The dogs were discovered when they appeared at a door on Somerville Way in the Lawthorn area of the town yesterday morning (December 29).

Scottish SPCA Inspector Kerry Kirkpatrick said, "A young boy saw one of the dogs, a mastiff, in his garden and when his mother opened the door a boxer came running over.

"The dogs obviously needed help so the lady kept them in her back garden before calling our animal helpline.

"It's clear the dogs know eachother so they've either run off or been abandoned together.

"The mastiff is female, lean and has hip problems, while the boxer is also thin, slightly lame and has pressure sores on his body. They are both around five years old."

The dogs have been named Bella and Bailey and are now being cared for at one of our animal rescue and rehoming centres.

Inspector Kirkpatrick added, "Unfortunately, cruelty to animals is far too common.

"Whoever owned these dogs should have ensured they received the veterinary treatment they clearly needed.

"The dogs don't appear to have been owned by anyone living in the immediate area and they don't have identification tags or microchips so we are asking for the public's help in tracing the person responsible."

Abandoning and mistreating animals are offences and anyone found guilty of doing so can expect to be banned from keeping animals for a fixed period or life.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Scottish SPCA animal helpline on 03000 999 999.

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