A severely malnourished dog named Peanut is receiving medical care and a chance for recovery after being found abandoned in a ditch on New Year’s Day. Peanut, a three-year-old dog, was discovered in an alarming condition, described by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) as the “skinniest dog” their staff had ever seen alive.
The discovery was made possible thanks to a compassionate member of the public, who quickly transported the dog to a nearby vet for emergency care before Peanut was transferred to the RSPCA’s Block Fen Animal Centre. According to the shelter’s Facebook post, Peanut’s condition was dire when she arrived but has shown signs of improvement since.
Tiffany Saunders, a kennel supervisor, shared with BBC that Peanut was initially “lifeless” but is steadily gaining strength. “It is really lovely to see her tail wag,” Saunders noted. Peanut’s recovery, however, will be gradual, as her emaciated state requires careful, frequent feeding to help restore her weight. Despite her slow recovery, Saunders reported that Peanut has a healthy appetite, which suggests her underweight condition is due to neglect rather than an underlying health issue.
In addition to her extreme thinness, Peanut was found with sores on her legs, a result of prolonged contact with hard surfaces. Rescue officer David Allen expressed his disbelief, stating, “She’s the thinnest dog I have ever seen and I cannot understand how anyone could allow this to happen.”
While Peanut is microchipped, the shelter discovered that she had likely been sold by her original owners when she was just six months old, with no further records of her most recent owners or her neglect. Peanut’s case is part of a larger issue, with the RSPCA reporting 44 animals abandoned on New Year’s Day alone and 846 such incidents in the week leading up to Christmas.
The shelter is continuing to care for Peanut and other animals in need, with efforts to rehabilitate and rehome those abandoned. Those who wish to support the RSPCA’s ongoing mission can donate to help fund their rescue work.
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