Appeal to trace owners of dog found in Exeter

The RSPCA is trying to find out who owns a young dog who was found wandering in Exeter late in the afternoon of Thursday 11 December.

Holly, as the Staffordshire bull terrier has since been named by the RSPCA, was found on Burnthouse Lane near Ludwell Valley Fields.  She followed a local dog walker home who took her in and contacted the local authority dog warden who took her to the RSPCA Little Valley Animal Shelter.

Holly, who is brindle in colour, was suffering from a skin condition.  She has extensive fur loss and initial veterinary examinations indicate that she has demodectic mange, although test results are still being awaited.

RSPCA inspector Marije Zwager said:  “This was so sad - poor Holly was so desperate for company that she followed another dog walker home.  Her skin condition was causing her considerable discomfort but she’s still so friendly that it is such a shame she has come to be alone without a loving home this close to Christmas.

“Holly had no collar or microchip so we are appealing for her owner to come forward as it may be that she just became lost or escaped from a garden rather than being abandoned. 

“Thankfully she now has a home at our Little Valley Animal Shelter so she is being well cared for and is receiving the veterinary treatment she so sorely needed.”

Anyone with information about where Holly may have come from, or who her owners might be, is asked to contact the RSPCA inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018.

Although it is not known if Holly was abandoned, the RSPCA deals with many abandoned animals, receiving 685 reports of abandoned animals in the first nine months of 2014 in Devon alone.  We are a charity and rely on public donations to exist - if you can help please text HELP to 78866 to give £3 (texts cost £3 plus one standard network rate message).