A young dog found abandoned in a shopping bag may not survive after being found "hours from death". The puppy, named Monty by his rescuers, was found in a park and was rushed to be treated by vets.
He was put on a drip and given medication, but his condition remains critical. Monty was severely underweight, with all of his ribs showing, and his body was covered in sores.
Monty is thought to be around one or two years old and vets at Mizen Veterinary Surgeons in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, have alerted the RSPCA. The charity is investigating the circumstances around his abandonment in the Peterborough park, reports CambridgeshireLive.
Monty was discovered at around 7am on Tuesday morning and had brown patches around both ears. RSPCA investigator Justin Stubbs said that he was hoping someone would recognise the dog and contact the charity's appeals line.
He said: "I was horrified to see the condition in which this dog had been abandoned - he looked like he was just hours from death and he was just skin and bone. It made me feel sick. I just cannot believe someone could be this cruel to just abandon a dog in such a poor state.
"He was inside a bag like a piece of rubbish - it is truly shocking. The vets have named him Monty and I am just hoping that he will be able to pull through - but only time will tell.
"He has been bathed, is on a drip and medication, and being given the best care by a dedicated and already emotionally involved team of vets and nurses. I am keen to find the person who did this and I am hoping someone may provide me with information about this. I would like to hear from anyone who recognises Monty - somebody must know who owns him.
"This comes at a time when the RSPCA is busy asking for public support by donating to its Cancel Out Cruelty campaign so we can continue to help animals and investigate those responsible for such awful attacks. This sad incident reminds us why this campaign is so important."
As part of its campaign, the RSPCA has released animal abandonment statistics, which revealed that Cambridgeshire is the second-worst county in England and Wales for animal abandonment. You can contact the RSPCA's appeals line on 0300 1234 999.
