'˜Dumped' dog put down

Susie the Jack Russell was discovered outside St Barnabas’s Church in Marsh Green last Tuesday, March 15, by a volunteer and was handed over to the RSPCA.

But the distressed pet’s condition was considered to be so bad by vets that it was decided that the kindest thing to do would be to put her to sleep over the weekend.

The animal charity launched an appeal last week to find Susie’s owners after they discovered she was microchipped although the details logged on it were not up-to-date.

There is no way of knowing how long she had had the large growth on her mammary gland but it is likely that she had been in considerable discomfort for a long time as a result of it.

It was so large that it touched the ground when the dog was standing up.

Despite Susie’s having to be put to sleep, the RSPCA is still keen to try to trace her owners.

RSPCA inspector Susie Micallef said: “It was terribly sad. Susie was in a bad way when she was found.

“She had a very large tumour on her mammary gland which could have potentially spread elsewhere.

“We cannot say for sure how long she had had this tumour for, but the likelihood is that she has been in pain and discomfort for a long time.

“There is a chance that she was dumped because she was so ill which, if true, was a callous and disgusting thing to do.”

Despite not being able to identify Susie’s owners from her microchip, the RSPCA is hoping that someone may recognise her and come forward with information about who might have left her at the church.

Insp Micallef said: “I am urging anyone who knows any information about Susie to contact us in complete confidence on 0300 123 8018 so we can find out how Susie came to be like she was.”

The RSPCA is a charity which relies on public donations to exist and ask the public to assist inspectors in carrying out their vital work by texting HELP to 78866 to give £3, texts cost £3 + one standard network rate message.