Neglected elderly dog abandoned "like a piece of rubbish" near King's Lynn

The RSPCA is appealing for information after an neglected elderly dog was found wandering lost and alone on a road in Lynn.

Her coat was matted and unwashed, she was lethargic and skinny and she had a large tumour hanging from her belly.

"She had been abandoned like a piece of rubbish," said a spokesman.

A kind-hearted member of the public spotted the little Shih Tzu-type dog while driving along the A47 flyover near to the Adrian Flux arena on February 27.

They stopped and rescued her and took her to a nearby vet - who in turn contacted the RSPCA.

She is now in RSPCA care and has had surgery to remove the mass.

When she was found, the little dog’s coat was matted from head to toe, she was lethargic and unable to stand for very long. The matting was around her ears, chest and legs and had to be pulled back so she could see and she also smelled dirty and unwashed.

Now named Molly, she had a large mango-sized mammary tumour hanging from her belly, affecting her walking. She was also skinny and her ribs could be felt and she weighed around 6.8kgs.

The vets had clipped her coat, done blood tests and had taken radiographs of her chest to exclude metastases to her lungs. The skin on the mass had started to become compromised and soon ulcerated. She also had severe dental disease.

Molly, aged 14, is now being cared for at the RSPCA Block Fen Animal Centre - and her tumour has been successfully removed.

RSPCA vet Jonathan Fish said: “We removed the mass on Monday. It was a complex surgery as the mass was so large but we managed to preserve a skin flap. We also performed a dental and she had multiple teeth removed.

“Sweet little Molly is recovering well and we expect her to make a full recovery.

“Right now she is getting lots of love and TLC from the team here at Block Fen. She’s an adorable little girl who has been through so much yet despite all of this she is just the kindest little lady - she really does deserve a second chance at happiness.”

Molly had been microchipped and Inspector Jon Knight has been following up a number of leads but he is keen to speak to anyone who may have information as to who owned her.

Jon said: “When I first saw Molly I just couldn’t believe that someone had allowed her to get into such a state. Then to make matters worse just abandoned her like a piece of rubbish on some road.

“Thankfully she is now in RSPCA care and we will do all we can to help her recover and give her a chance of a life that she so deserves.

“We are grateful to everyone who has helped Molly.

“I have been following up a number of leads regarding Molly - but I am keen to speak to anyone who may recognise her or may know who had owned her more recently and they can contact me on the RSPCA appeal line on 0300 123 8018.”