Emaciated pup who has never lived in a house is transformed in RSPCA care

Charlie was found in squalid conditions on an allotment and now needs a new home.

An emaciated lurcher puppy who is believed to have spent his whole life living on an allotment was fascinated when he saw a television after going inside a house for the first time. 

Nine-month-old Charlie was rescued from appalling conditions but has been transformed in the care of the RSPCA and is now looking for a new home in Lancashire. 

The brindle and white lurcher was found with seven other dogs of different breeds on an allotment in County Durham just before Christmas after the charity had been called to the site because of welfare concerns. 

Many of them were underweight, living in pens and kennels heavily contaminated with faeces and surrounded by large piles of rubbish, hazardous items and boxes of raw, rotting chicken. 

Charlie was in one of the worst conditions, emaciated and covered in pressure sores. A vet said the dogs were suffering or likely to suffer because of their living environment and they were seized by police and handed into the care of the RSPCA.  

After receiving urgent veterinary treatment they were transferred to a number of the charity’s animal centres in the north of England. 

Charlie, who is the care of the RSPCA’s Lancashire East Branch animal centre near Accrington, was initially placed on a strict re-feeding programme which involved giving him a high quality diet and small meals frequently. He’s made good progress, has gained weight and is now ready to find a loving new home. 

Animal Care Assistant Amy Robinson, who has taken Charlie out for the day, said: “We don't think home life is something Charlie has ever experienced, so when he arrived at my house he gave every single inch of it a proper sniff.  

“He was fascinated by the television and watched it intently on several occasions. He was also very curious about the fridge and quickly learned that's where food comes from - he’d go out in the garden and then pop back inside to have another look around it.  

“Charlie’s a really affectionate dog and will rest his head on your chest if you get down to his level and will try and curl up on your knee if you sit on the floor - he doesn't realise he is actually quite a big boy!

“His favourite toy is a squeaky ball and he cheekily tried to pinch a few things - blankets, cushions, boots, hot water bottles to name but a few - but he’s probably never seen them before so it was all very new to him.”

Only three of the dogs found with Charlie were microchipped but the contact details were out of date. The site isn’t council owned and despite extensive enquiries no one has so far come forward with information about who the animals belonged to. 

RSPCA Deputy Chief Inspector Catherine Maddison, who was one of four officers to attend the incident, said: “It was difficult to walk around safely because of the large amount of broken hazardous items and rubbish generally. The environment was wholly unsuitable for animals. 

“The dogs were being housed in dirty kennels and pens, some of which had faeces that were so old they’d turned white. Most of them were underweight and suffering from skin conditions. It really was a desperately sad situation for these animals and we’re so grateful for the support of the police, the vets, our animal centres and partner organisations.”

Charlie’s story comes as the RSPCA Lancashire East Branch, a separate self-funding charity, continues to appeal to animal lovers to help save its animal centre which is under threat of closure because of severe financial and operational challenges.    

Over £50,000 has been raised by individuals, groups and local businesses since the charity announced in February that it was considering closing its kennel accommodation. 

More than 400 new supporters have pledged to join the centre’s Safe Haven scheme by signing up to become regular monthly donors and trustees are continuing to explore ongoing corporate partnerships.

The branch is now confident it will be able to keep the animal centre open until the end of June while trustees continue to look at longer term funding opportunities to continue operating the centre within a more sustainable operational model.  

Centre Manager, Jeanette Ainscough, said: “Being able to care for animals like Charlie, who have suffered terrible neglect, is why it is so imperative that the doors to our centre remain open in the future. 

“Charlie’s life has been transformed by our team.

"He’s now ready to start a fresh chapter with a new family and we’d encourage anyone who is interested in offering him a home to complete an online application form. 

Please get in touch with the branch via their website if you would like to support their centre appeal by making a donation, organising a fundraiser, rehoming an animal or becoming a foster carer or member of our Safe Haven scheme by making a small regular monthly donation.