Found shivering in a bush and dumped in a park, Bruce the bulldog had horrific, untreated burns across his little body. The terrified dog was taken to RSPCA Preston and underwent an operation.
Staff think Bruce had been scalded two to three weeks earlier. Bruce's story had a happy ending - he made a full recovery and has since been rehomed.
But many canine victims of cruelty at the hands of people are not so lucky. The RSPCA has rescued dogs which have been repeatedly beaten, stabbed, burned, drowned or poisoned. Some have been left to die from starvation.
A skeletal dog found in a house in Middlesbrough was so weak she was unable to stand, lying on a bed crawling with fleas and could only just lift her head to drink water from a nearby bowl. In another room another dog was found who was suffering from almost complete fur loss due to an untreated flea infestation.
Both dogs were rushed to a vets. But the skeletal dog was in such a poor condition she had to be put to sleep.
A case in Darlington in April saw a one-month-old puppy found dumped and close to death. The underweight, hypothermic pup was bleeding and had a wound on his head.
He was also suffering from parvovirus which is a deadly disease. He made a "miraculous" recovery, is now called Alfie and has a new home.
The cruelty cases were among 44,427 reports made to the charity involving 92,244 pets. That's ten an hour.
And reports of cruelty cases are on the rise. Figures are expected to increase during the summer and the charity is worried more dogs will fall victim to abuse and abandonments as the cost of living crisis takes hold.
RSPCA dog welfare expert Dr Samantha Gaines said: “Every year, we see many dogs coming into our care bearing the physical and mental scars that were inflicted at the hands of the very people who were meant to keep them safe and love them unconditionally."
She said, with the public's help, staff have been able to save many dogs from ongoing abuse. but she added: "Sadly though in some cases others have died at the hands of their tormentors and it is then our job to try and bring some justice for the victim.
The charity has launched its Cancel Out Cruelty campaign which aims to raise funds to keep its rescue teams on the frontline saving animals in need of help as well as raising awareness of the issue. To help the RSPCA click here.
