A Staffordshire bull terrier cross named Spud was discovered abandoned in a crate in the Wirral, Merseyside, on 29 July, with a handwritten note from his previous owner apologising for leaving him.
The note explained that Spud would not walk on a lead or go downstairs and had not left the house for a year. The owner described him as a 'really loving house dog' but said they could not give him the life he deserved, adding that they had tried unsuccessfully to rehome him for weeks.
A member of the public found Spud and took him to Jackson's Animal Rescue, where staff noticed his overgrown claws were growing into his pads and he was suffering from fur loss. He was then transferred to the RSPCA's Greater Manchester Animal Hospital, where Animal Rescue Officer Lucy Welch examined him.
Welch said: 'Spud is a lovely, gentle natured dog. All he wanted to do was sit on my lap and have a cuddle. His overgrown claws are an indication he'd probably not had enough exercise. They were growing into his pads which were red and sore.' She thanked those who helped rescue him and urged people not to abandon pets.
Spud, estimated to be four or five years old, is now being fostered by a vet. The RSPCA's Animal Kindness Index, released amid the cost of living crisis, found that 52% of pet owners are worried about affording vet bills.
