Dying dog was abandoned

The RSPCA is appealing for information after a German Shepherd with a huge mammary tumour was discovered collapsed in Cramlington, Northumberland. The dog had been spotted running and collapsing in a field near Eastview Avenue.

Normally, stray dogs are the responsibility of either the police or the localauthority dog warden service, but because it was out of hours, the RSPCA attended and Inspector Damian Woolliscroft was sent to collect the stricken animal.

Inspector Wolliscroft arrived on Wednesday (9 July) evening at around 7.15pm and foundthe elderly dog, with one huge tumour spreading along her side, and a second one growing across her shoulders. She was also suffering from hair loss and a skin condition.

However, the dog was not underweight, which suggests she had either recently escaped from someone’s home or garden, or been abandoned, perhaps because of her tumours.

The dog was taken to a veterinary surgery in Gosforth but sadly the extent of her tumours means its future prognosis is poor.

Damian says: “This animal was not thin. She had not been roaming the streets for any length of time, which means somebody owned her and allowed those tumours to grow. Although it would be possible to remove the growths, we fear the animal may be riddled with cancer internally.

“If anyone recognises this dog and can identify her owner, I would urge them to get in touch as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information should contact the RSPCA (tel: 80705 555999) and ask to leave a message for Inspector Woolliscroft.