St Boswells rescue centre is saving Grace

Published 4 Aug 2010 11:35 0 Comments

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A DOG found abandoned in the Borders has been described as one of the worst cases of animal neglect ever discovered in the region.

Shona Middlemiss, manager of Arthurshiel Rescue Centre, near St Boswells, revealed the farmer who found Grace in a field near Duns doubted whether the loveable Labrador would ever survive.

She suffered from a yeast infection which turned her gorgeous ginger coat grey and added years to her age. And her left eye was so badly mutilated it had to be removed.

However, after just a week in the care of the animal shelter, the bitch, who was also underfed and suffered from sores, is being nursed back to health and has already received at least three offers of a new home - and now she can't stop wagging her tail.

Speaking to the Border Telegraph this week, Shona - who released a photograph of Grace as a shocking reminder to dog owners, and anyone else considering buying a pet, of their responsibilities in caring for their animals, said: "This picture is not nice to look at but the public must know some of the horrific states we find these animals in. She is the worst we have found this year."

The rescue centre revealed as many as four dogs were dumped on their doorstep every week.

"Grace was found up a wee track leading to the middle of nowhere. She was either seriously lost or had been dumped," Shona said. "She was staggering and not looking very healthy. Her eye was bleeding and she was in an awful mess - she must have been in some pain.

"Her skin was like elephant skin - just grey and horrible. Looking at her teeth the vet thinks she is between three and five-years-old, but body-wise she looks like an old girl. The farmer who found her actually thought we would have to put her down."

But she added: "She has got a good spirit and most dogs learn to adapt to having only one eye or three legs. And we have already had two or three people express an interest in offering her a new loving home, although it will be another four weeks before she is ready."

Last month, a Collie was found tied to a fence on a neighbouring farm - just yards from the rescue centre. It is believed a taxi driver, seen driving a silver car, may have been responsible for dumping the dog which weighed only six point three kilos - about the same as a cat.

Shona said: "We still get three or four dogs a week which aren't claimed. We've got about 15 dogs at the moment looking for new homes. I think the youngest is six months and the oldest is nine."

The rescue centre, which celebrates its 20th anniversary next year, is also caring for two baby Tawny owls found at Lawrie's Garage in St Boswells. And, on Sunday, it released a Buzzard back into the wild.

Now Shona, whose home has become a haven for injured and abandoned animals, has set up the Borders first wildlife hospital in an effort to cope. She said: We are busy trying to raise the funds for the hospital and we have had a donation of £1000 but we need another £1000 to get going."

For more information on Arthurshiel Rescue Centre, or to make a donation, log on to its website - www.arthurshiel-rescue.org

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