A terrified dog was launched over a high fence in a "horrific" case of neglect.
Staff at Freshfield Animal Rescue were stunned to find a terrified and freezing Shih Tzu on their grounds when they began work one morning. In what had been described as a "horrible ordeal", the female dog appeared to have been "thrown" over the fence, which is around 18ft high, in cold weather conditions last September.
Debbie Hughes, of Freshfields Animal Rescue, said: "It was totally horrific. We saw someone on CCTV, we didn't get the details of the car, but it looks like someone has pulled up and literally threw her over the wall and just left her. She didn't know what was happening, at first she even gave a little wag of her tail, it's just heartbreaking.
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"Staff found her and straight away took her in, she was freezing and scared, didn't know what was happening. She'd have been there a few hours, it's terrible.
"She wouldn't let anyone go near her at first, she was very dirty and her fur was so matted it was hanging over her eyes, it was quite clear she had been neglected."
Young Mimi was "abandoned in the cruellest way possible" and was in a "dreadful state" having to learn to trust again. As she struggled to adapt to life in kennels, a decision was soon made for her to go to a foster home until she was adopted.
But for Jim Marsden, who chose to foster Mimi, it was "love at first sight". Jim decided to adopt Mimi and Debbie said: "There was an instant connection."
Animal rescues across the UK are feeling the demand of unwanted pets due to the after-effects of the pandemic and cost of living crisis. But Debbie said no dog, or any animal, should suffer the severe psychological impact of being abandoned in such a cruel way.
She added: "It's traumatic. We don't judge, we know how hard it is but don't resort to these measures. If we can't help, because our rescues are always full, we will point you in the right direction. Don't get to the point where you're throwing a terrified dog over a fence."
Jim Marsden, 71, who was at the rescue centre the day after Mimi had been cruelly dumped, said she was very withdrawn but has now come out of her shell and is "brilliant".
He added: "I was so happy to be accepted as a volunteer dog walker for Freshfields, and have been walking some of the lovely dogs for over a year now. I felt so sorry for Mimi that I asked about taking her into foster care.
"I only intended to foster her for a couple of months, but within a day or two I knew I couldn’t hand her back. She has really settled in and is a major part of my life now. We’re out for two walks every day totalling not less than five miles. Mimi is the best thing that could have happened to me."
Thankfully, Mimi is flourishing in her new home, but Debbie said no animal should suffer in such a way as she urged people to reach out for support. She said: "Hopefully, Mimi’s story will show everyone that rescue animals make fantastic pets.
"At the moment, only 22% of people get their pets from a rescue centre. Over 50% of animals are still bought from breeders or online. If you are thinking of getting a pet, please consider adopting from a rescue centre. You’ll be changing lives, including your own."
Freshfields Animal Rescue can be contacted via www.freshfields.org.uk or call 0151 931 1604.
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