Elderly dog found in ‘shocking’ state now unrecognisable after RSPCA shave 2kg of matted fur

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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.

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”.

“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.

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.”

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Anyone who recognises Larry is urged to call the RSPCA’s appeals line on 0300 123 8018 quoting reference 1065689. 

Featured Image – RSPCA