Petunia was found collapsed in the road in north-west London
The RSPCA has appealed for information after a pug was found collapsed and dumped in a north-west London street riddled with infection.
Petunia - as she was later named by RSPCA staff - was found abandoned in Links Road, Cricklewood, at around 11pm on Friday 18 March. She was curled up in blanket with her head down.
She was rushed to the RSPCA’s Putney Animal Hospital and was found to have a terrible infection in her eyes, one of which had ulcerated. She also had severe infections in her ear canals and vets concluded that she had been suffering like this for a considerable amount of time.
She was treated and monitored but, on Thursday (24 March), vets made the difficult decision to put her to sleep to end her suffering.
Inspector Leigh Summers is now investigating. He said: “Unfortunately, we weren’t able to do anything to make Petunia more comfortable or to ease her pain.
“It’s utterly disgraceful that someone could just dump her by the side of the road and drive away. She was in a terrible condition with awful infections to both her ears and both her eyes which would have required extensive surgery to treat her ear canals and remove her eyes, leaving her blind.
“Sadly, she was in so much pain that the vets felt the only option was to put her to sleep.
“I am now appealing for information from anyone who may recognise Petunia, know where she has come from or who might be responsible for dumping her like this, or anyone who may have seen anyone abandoning her in Cricklewood on Friday night.
“If you have any information which may be able to help, please contact the RSPCA appeal line on 0300 123 8018.”
Petunia was scanned and found to have an Irish Kennel Club microchip but this was not registered so an owner could not be traced.
As a charity, the RSPCA relies on public donations to exist. To assist our inspectors in carrying out their vital work please text HELP to 78866 to give £3 (texts cost £3 + one standard network rate message).