An elderly dog who was found by RSPCA officers in a “shocking” state is now completely unrecognisable after having 2kg of matted fur shaved off.
The “sweet and gentle” pup – who is named Larry, and is thought to be 13-years-old – had suffered from months of neglect after he was abandoned in the Bradfield Road area of Crewe, before being rescued by the RSPCA, and was found with fur so heavily matted that it left his face almost completely obscured so that he couldn’t see.
He was found earlier this month (2 May) caked in faeces and urine – which had formed thick and hardened dreadlocks around his head, tail and feet.
Larry is a Poodle/Maltese-type pooch, according to the RSPCA, but he was actually in such an “appalling” state when he was first found, that officers said it was hard to tell what breed he was.
Elderly dog found in ‘shocking’ state now unrecognisable after RSPCA shave 2kg of matted fur / Credit: RSPCA
After rescuing Larry, and discovering that he wasn’t microchipped, RSPCA officers transferred the elderly dog to the animal welfare charity’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital in Salford, so vets could give him the care he deserved and, most-importantly, get to work shaving off his fur.
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Once their work was done, the vets revealed that they shaved almost 2kg of fur off Larry’s coat.
RSCPA centre manager Kay Hawthorn, who is actually currently fostering Larry, said he has been given “a new lease of life”.
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“Under the huge matted clumps of fur, a sweet and gentle dog has emerged who’s been given a new lease of life,” she explained.
“He was struggling to get around properly and it must have been so uncomfortable for him, but now he’s enjoying running around again, which is something he’s probably not been able to do for a long time, and given his advancing years, he’s surprisingly sprightly.”
“Surprisingly sprightly” Larry is now enjoying a new lease of life / Credit: RSPCA
While “surprisingly sprightly” Larry may now be enjoying a second chance at living a worthy life, the RSPCA is still intent on investigating his case as they believe he was either abandoned or “deliberately left to stray, and so is appealing to anyone who recognises the dog to come forward.
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RSPCA inspector Louise Showering said Larry was in an “appalling” condition, adding: “His coat looked like a pile of dirty old rags and it’s likely he’d been neglected for a prolonged period of time.”
Anyone who recognises Larry is urged to call the RSPCA’s appeals line on 0300 123 8018 quoting reference 1065689.
Featured Image – RSPCA
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Channel 4 is looking for Mancs who think they can survive the apocalypse for a new TV series
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Have you always wanted to see how long you’d last in an apocalypse?
Well now’s your chance, as Apocalypse is potentially coming back to Channel 4 for a second series, with producers having put out a nationwide casting call for contestants willing to take part.
The casting call simply reads: “Do you think you have what it takes to survive the end of the world?”
Described as a dystopian series designed to test the creativity, resourcefulness, and resilience of our nation, Apocalypse sees players are pushed out of their comfort zones and put to the ultimate test.
In the series, ordinary people are tasked with surviving for 28 days in an abandoned city – used previously only for the military to practice urban warfare – with no food, running water, electricity or heat.
Produced by The Garden – which is part of ITV Studios – for Channel 4, the show’s creators are now calling on Mancs and people up and down the country with the ‘courage and ingenuity’ to compete, to get in touch and apply for the potential second series.
Does your mate always bang on after watching a post-apocalyptic film that they would’ve done things differently? Or is the news at the moment freaking you out and you want to give the end of the world a bit of a practice run? Either way, sign up, test that plan you’ve built in your head, and see if you’ve really got what it takes.
Applications are now open, and all you need to do is fill in a short application form and one of the production team will get back to you if they would like to proceed. Come on, let’s prove what Mancs are made of.
Hundreds of katsu curries are being given out for FREE in Manchester this week
Emily Sergeant
Hundreds of katsu curries are being dished up and given out for free in Manchester this week, but only for certain people.
And those lucky people will be students.
That’s right… a new semester is upon us, and thousands of freshers and returning students are descending on the city and Manchester‘s many universities for another year. But the life of a student isn’t exactly the cheapest sometimes, especially for those who haven’t had to live on a budget before moving out or into halls.
But to make things a little easier, Tampopo has announced it’ll be serving hundreds of one of its most popular dishes for free this week.
Tampopo is celebrating National Katsu Curry Day in the most delicious way possible, by giving away 700 Katsu Curries with rice for free, exclusively to freshers and students this Sunday (27 September).
Whether you’re brand new to the city, settling back into uni life, or you’re simply in need of a katsu fix, students can head to their nearest participating Tampopo and tuck into a hearty meal without needing to spend a penny.
100 katsu curries will be available each from 12-2pm at both Tampopo restaurants in Manchester city centre – which are on Albert Square, and in the Corn Exchange – or if you head over to the Trafford Centre, both the Tampopo there and the East Street sites are taking part.
“[Our] Katsu Curry has long been one of our most-loved dishes, so National Katsu Curry Day felt like the perfect excuse to give students a proper welcome to the new academic year,” Tampopo said in a statement.
So, are you feeling hungry then? The offer is exclusively available for takeaway only to freshers and students with a valid student ID, which they must present on collection.
100 portions are available at each participating location, and just one free katsu curry with rice will be available per person.
Emily Sergeant -
31st May 2023 
