Puppy left with fractures to legs, hips, ribs and jaw in series of attacks - has loving new home

24.08.22

A puppy who had suffered multiple fractures at the hands of her owner is now loving life in a new home after she was rescued by the RSPCA - and this week she had a surprise visit from the inspector who saved her.

At just 18 weeks-old Daisy had already suffered fractures to two legs, her hip, four ribs and her jaw had been fractured twice. The injuries were caused at different times in a series of attacks by her previous owner and were left untreated.

The bull dog-type puppy was rescued from her plight by Inspector Lisa Lupson who attended an address in Merseyside last year following a report from a member of the public concerned about the welfare of the puppy.

The RSPCA is highlighting the plight of Daisy as part of the charity's Cancel out Cruelty fundraising campaign calling on the public to support more rescues like this and to raise awareness about how to stop cruelty to animals for good.

Lisa recalled how as she approached the property and saw Daisy - who was sitting outside near her owner - she could see her sadness and instinctively knew something was wrong.

Then moments later when Lisa was alone with Daisy as she rushed the injured pup for emergency veterinary treatment the injured pup became happy and the pair formed a close bond.

Such was that bond that more than a year later, when Lisa this week visited Daisy in her new home in Merseyside with Emma Rodd (50) and her husband Jeff (65), it was clear she remembered her saviour and happily showed gratitude by kissing Lisa on the cheeks and excitedly cuddled into her.

Lisa said: "Daisy is full of energy and love and when she saw me she went into overdrive by excitedly running towards me and showering me with sloppy kisses. It was such a lovely welcome and a great way to see how the work we do does make such a huge difference."

Daisy was very different when we found her

The happy demeanour Daisy displays now at her new home is in stark contrast to the one on shown when she first met Lisa.

Lisa said:

She was sitting on a driveway in front of her owner and she was in an upright position but was staring at the ground and appeared very subdued.

Walking up the driveway I noted that even when she saw me she continued to sit in the same position and appeared very lethargic and quiet which is not what you would expect from a dog of that age.

I knelt on the ground to coax her to come to me. Reluctantly she managed to get up but rather than walking normally she dragged herself to me, dragging her back end and this is when I noticed that she was completely non-weight bearing on her left hind leg and struggling to walk.

I also noticed that her left ear was hanging low and was swollen with a large scab visible on the inner ear flap - showing she had more injuries.

On stroking her I could see some small bald patches on her head and slight scabbing to the neck area. She appeared as what I can only describe as very miserable and sad.

Daisy then rested her head on the palm of my hand staring intently at me as I stroked her. It was like she was saying to me 'please help me' and I looked back at her thinking 'don't worry I won't let you down'.

After citing her concerns for the puppy a family member signed Daisy over into the care of the animal welfare charity and Lisa took her to the RSPCA's Greater Manchester Animal Hospital for urgent veterinary attention.

Lisa said when Daisy realised she was alone with her and away from her owner - her actions and appearance were more positive and she was much happier.

Daisy is a new dog

She said: "I was very surprised by the change. Daisy was eager and happy to be with me and was like a completely different dog acting as a puppy should be covering me in kisses and chewing my fingers. This was very different to how she had been earlier at the house."

Examinations and x-rays found Daisy had a healing fracture on her right back leg, a hip fracture, three rib fractures on her left side and one on her right which it is believed were inflicted six weeks before. She also had a fractured jaw on both sides which again were not recent as they had started to heal.

All injuries were consistent with blunt force trauma caused at different times in her short life and her owner later admitted to inflicting multiple injuries when he appeared in court and failing to seek treatment for them.

After undergoing surgery and receiving treatment for her injuries Daisy continued on her journey back to health and was rehabilitated by the Wirral and Chester branch of the RSPCA who found her a forever home where she could start a new and happy chapter in her life.

Now she is a completely transformed dog who loves nothing more than to snuggle up on the sofa with Emma and Jeff and their son Aaraon aged 24.

Emma said:

We were keen on adopting after our previous dog Princess died from a brain tumour so we went to visit Daisy and just fell for her.

She is a typical puppy still who likes to play in the garden, go for walks and loves to snuggle up with us on the settee and have a snooze.

She is great with other dogs and gives us lots of kisses - considering what she has been through she is now very relaxed and a joy to have around.

We are so grateful to the RSPCA and are supporting their Cancel out Cruelty campaign so they can save more lives like Daisy.

Emma has been diagnosed with clinical depression and told how having Daisy helps her with the condition and makes her feel more positive. Her husband Jeff is also fighting throat cancer so Daisy is also a good companion for him and they enjoy walks together.

Emma said: "We knew what Daisy had been through in the past but seeing how happy and loving she is now it is hard to believe the pain and suffering she endured.

"It shows her amazing character but also shows the fantastic work the RSPCA do. They rescued her from a terrible situation, helped mend her broken body and then rehabilitated her until she was ready for a new home. We are delighted that she is now part of our family."

Many more dogs suffer just like Daisy did

Sadly, Daisy is one of so many dogs who suffer at the hands of humans and as part of the RSPCA's Cancel Out Cruelty campaign, the charity highlights that despite being man's best friend a staggering 44,427 reports of dog cruelty were made to the RSPCA in 2021.

Reports of cruelty rise during the summer months and the charity fears that with the costs of living crisis and an increase in pet ownership that more pets will be victims of cruelty or abandonment.

Dermot Murphy, RSPCA Chief Inspectorate Officer said:

It is incredibly worrying that still in 2022 we are seeing this high level of cruelty towards animals.

We've seen a rise in reports of beatings and with the increase in pet ownership and financial pressures growing we are sadly braced for a summer of suffering which is why we are calling on the public to help us Cancel Out Cruelty and help more animals like Daisy.

Our frontline teams are working hard to rescue animals in need this summer but we can't do it alone - we need your help to Cancel Out Cruelty.

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