News Beat
Northallerton RSPCA rescue neglected springer spaniel
Floss, a springer spaniel, was rescued by the RSPCA from a house near Northallerton that was filled with rubbish and faeces.
Sadly, a second dog found at the property, a Mastiff named Alice, had already died by the time help arrived.
Emma Stainthorpe, RSPCA inspector, said: “Floss was in an awful state and was very obviously underweight and I could see lots of live fleas running and jumping all over her – and her ribs, spine and pelvic bones protruding out of her inflamed skin.
“There was also a lot of blood on her bedding area, which was from where the fleas had been attacking her, and this had caused her vitamin deficiencies in her blood.”
Ms Stainthorpe described the scene at Floss’s home as “one of the worst jobs of my 13-year career,” with rescuers needing to wear disposable overalls, gloves and masks due to the filth, with the RSPCA saying that Floss was only hours away from death.
Despite her condition, Floss greeted them with a wagging tail.
She said: “She was quite content to come with us – after the owner agreed we could take her for urgent vet treatment, and she was so friendly and loving.
“Had it not been for the intervention of the RSPCA, I have no doubt Floss would have suffered a similar fate.
“It is thanks to a concerned member of the public calling the cruelty line that we were able to at least save Floss.”
Floss is now living with Shannon Hamilton, the vet who cared for her during her recovery, who said she “just fell in love with her” while treating her.
At the vet, Floss was given a body condition score of one out of nine and weighed just 8kg, far below her ideal weight of at least 12kg.
She was severely anaemic, likely due to malnutrition and flea infestations, and was immediately placed in RSPCA care.
After two weeks of treatment, Ms Hamilton decided to foster her.
The 28-year-old said: “The initial thing that struck me about Floss was when I first saw her in her cage, her lovely face and big puppy dog eyes looking scared – I just felt an instant connection.
“Once she was in a stable condition, I took her home and fostered her from the RSPCA as the subsequent court case against her owner was ongoing, and I was able to adopt her officially in October last year.”
Ms Hamilton said Floss settled in quickly and has become “our little girl.”
“She loves people and other dogs,” she said.
“She is about seven years old now and has made a huge difference to our lives.
“We were worried she may have some problems because of her past, but she settled really well and has always been happy to have attention and loves her food.”
Ms Stainthorpe said she is “just glad to see that Floss now has the loving new home she deserves.”
