Happy ending for dogs abandoned in Downham Market
They'd been left tied to a tree
Last updated 30th Aug 2021
One of the dogs was dumped wearing a cruel shock collar
A loving pair of dogs were found dumped and tied to a tree in the town of Downham Market.
The underweight dogs were found abandoned on 20 July and were collected by the local dog warden - who looked after them for seven days before transferring them into the care of the Eau Brink Rehoming Centre which is run by the RSPCA Norfolk West Branch.
Milly is around eight to 10 years old and a female chocolate labrador, she was under weight and suffering from mange.
Tilly is around 18-months old and a mastiff type cross and was also underweight. Upsettingly, she was also wearing a shock collar when she was found.
Both dogs were microchipped but Milly’s chip was unregistered - while Tilly’s chip was only registered to a breeder who had then sold her on. Neither of the dogs were neutered.
Emily Cole, centre manager said:
“Both dogs were found tied to a tree in the Downham Market area and they were both wearing collars - but poor Tilly also had a shock collar around her neck.
“They were found by a member of the public who contacted the dog warden who looked after them for seven days before transferring them into our care.
“Poor Milly has mange which was around her eyes and also her back end. To start with we thought she may have recently had pups because she was quite droopy in her skin around her nipple area - but a vet said this is actually a result of her losing weight very quickly.
“Tilly, who is very nervous, is still the most sweet loving little dog - when she arrived here she jumped out of the van and planted her paws on my shoulders to give me a kiss - she is so very affectionate.
“She is very thin as well and so it is a mystery what has happened for these dogs as to why they were abandoned and what happened to them to lead them to suddenly losing weight in such a short space of time.
“I understand that people sometimes end up in situations where they may struggle to care for their pet and we’d always urge anyone in that situation to seek help - abandoning them is not the answer and fortunately in this instance they were found, but that isn’t always the case.
“Thankfully, Tilly and Milly did really well in our care - they are just the sweetest pair of dogs - they are friendly and polite which means they have been in a home previously.
“It is just really heartbreaking that whoever had them previously felt that this was the only option to abandon them - when they could have asked for help.”
Both dogs have now found loving new homes.
Electric shock collars have been illegal in Wales since 2010 and the RSPCA has long been calling for them to be outlawed in England too.
These collars are used to train and control cats and dogs but can cause pain and fear. They’re unnecessary for long-term behavioural change which can be achieved using positive reward-based training.
James Wild MP, the Member of Parliament for North West Norfolk, added:
"The ban on the use of shock collars is not yet set in law in England. Following a consultation and as set out in the Government's Action Plan for Animal Welfare, these cruel electronic training collars will be banned under new legislation and Ministers will lay the necessary legislation as soon as Parliamentary time allows.”