Starving Pet Dumped at Charity Rescue

Now Barby wants to find out where he came from and is asking - "Do you know this dog, or anything about him?"

She hopes any information will help her and the animal sanctuary staff care for the dog more efficiently to speed his recovery.

The large skinny greyhound was found around 3pm on Sunday afternoon running around the Sanctuary with a piece of blue string tied around his neck.

He has now been given the name 'Bailey' - after the drink, which Barby has a bottle of in her kitchen, and in honour of Peter Bailey, who was a loyal supporter of the rescue home.

Barby said: "He is just bones - you can literally put your hands around his middle. The people must have arrived here and thrown him over or pushed him through the gate without saying anything.

"He was just running around loose, with this bit of rope around his neck.

"He is a most beautiful natured creature...it is very lucky he was so good natured because otherwise he might have attacked my animals - I have got hens, chickens, dogs and cats running around. He didn't attempt to go for the animals - but he could have done. It's very frightening.

"He is such a lovely gentle dog. Thank God he is...but what makes people let animals get to this state?

"I just don't understand.

"If they need help, they can turn to people like us before this happens. OIf it is someone who can't afford to look after the dog they should not have let him get that bad. But if it is someone who has done this through neglect, I would like to smack their head in."

A vet has now checked Bailey over and estimated that he is three or four years old, with sores on the legs caused by malnutrition.

The greyhound's spare and spindly frame is evidence enough of lack of care but even so he lays back his ears and his friendly round eyes shine the moment he receives attention.

Chris Haker is looking after him in the kennels at the Sanctuary and carefully feeding him bit by bit.

She said: "He is having lots of little meals now so he isn't sick. He was definitely starving. I feel a bit mean because I am doing five or six small meals now to build him up slowly. He was so hungry."

Anyone with information about the dog can call Barby Keel on 01424 222032.