I have reproduced this article, supplied by Staffordshire Bull Terrier Welfare, from "The Stafford" magazine of June 1999.   I hope it shocks you as much as it did me.

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We recently received a call from a couple in the next village who had previously taken in a rescue Stafford.

They informed us that they had picked up what they said was an old Staffordshire Bull Terrier, that had been wandering down the main street.

When we suggested that they bring him over to us, they told us that he was unable to travel far, and seemed to be in a great deal of pain.  Fortunately, a friend who lived around the corner, had helped us with rescue and also fostered for us on numerous occasions agreed to take him in.  We got ourselves together and rushed over to see the dog.  It's very hard to put into words his condition, but I'll try.

We were astounded to find that he was banana shaped, and his legs were solid as if made from stone and thicker than my arms.  He had a discharge coming from every orifice.  His nails had grown through his feet so that they bled with every step he took.

We had thought ourselves hardened to this job, but we found ourselves totally shaken by the sight of him.  When approached he still made the effort to wag his tail.  This must have cost him dearly, as any movement seemed to give him yet more agony.

We wasted no time in ringing the nearest veterinary practice, and were asked to take the dog along.  We piled the car with soft blankets in order to cushion him.  He actually cried in pain at every turn we made.  Upon arrival we were attended to promptly, but we were astounded when the lady Veterinary Surgeon refused to put him out of his misery in case someone were to claim him as their own.  We would have liked to have met such a person!

The only way ahead was to call in the appropriate authority to give permission for euthanasia.  This was granted, without question, and the poor dog was put out of his misery.

We later found he had a disease of the pancreas that causes the bones to calcify.

We never did manage to track down the original owner(s), much to our annoyance.

The fact that anyone could actually leave a dog in this condition, for what must have been months, or possibly years still haunts us to this day, and possibly always will.  MAY HE REST IN PEACE.

Norma Vann.
        

The photographs of this dog will shock you, they are meant to!

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I would like to thank Staffordshire Bull Terrier Welfare and Mrs Jean Loughborough, Editor of The Stafford Magazine for their kind permission in allowing me to reproduce this article.

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This article and pictures are © The Stafford Magazine 1999.

© M D Collcutt 1999.

 Last updated 7th September 2007