Emaciated dog recently given birth fished out of canal

13.07.12 

We're appealing for information after an emaciated dog believed to have recently given birth was rescued from the Lea Navigation Canal in London.

The tan-coloured bull terrier cross was fished out by a couple sleeping on a canal boat tied up near the Princess of Wales pub on Lea Bridge Road in Clapton on the night of Friday, 6 July.

RSPCA Inspector Andrea Middleton said:

"They woke up as they heard the sound of an engine and heard a lot of splashing and went to investigate.

"They saw the dog flailing around in the canal and managed to fish her out."

Concerns over dog's litter of puppies

When she was pulled out of the canal, the dog collapsed and was unable to stand.

We collected her and took her to our Harmsworth Memorial Animal Hospital.
 

The dog was clearly emaciated with several ribs protruding and ate ravenously when offered food.

Her enlarged teats suggested that she had recently given birth.

And we are very concerned that her litter of puppies have also been dumped somewhere.

 

Can you help with our investigation?

• If you have have any information at all about who may have driven this dog to the canal side in the middle of the night please call our inspector information line:
  0300 123 8018.
   
• You can also help us to continue to investigate in cases such as this by giving a small donation.
  
  Text HELP to 78866 to give £3.
  (Texts cost £3 + one standard network rate message.)
  
  Or find out other ways you can donate and support us.

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