The RSPCA is caring for a puppy who was found abandoned in a layby by a busy main road near Twycross in Leicestershire.
Thankfully the pup, thought to be a shepherd cross, was found by a concerned member of the public, who rescued her and took her to a nearby vet.
She was found in a layby on the A444 near to Gibbet Lane on Wednesday 10 January.
The vets kept the pup safe and contacted the RSPCA and Inspector Herchy Boal collected her and took her to the RSPCA Woodside Animal Centre in Leicester.
The pup, who is between three to four months old was examined by a vet at the centre and found she had an old fracture on her right hind leg, which had healed. She was also found to be lacking in nutrition.
Herchy said: “This poor pup was found in a layby by a really busy road and it must have been so frightening for her. Thank goodness a member of the public stopped to rescue her, because she could easily have been injured by running onto the road, or even worse.
“The vets where she was taken to contacted the RSPCA for help and I collected her and transferred her to an RSPCA centre.
“I really can’t understand why someone would have abandoned her – she’s still so very young, only and she is such a lovely little girl. She is so well mannered and so sweet, I fell in love with her the moment I met her.
“She’s had a thorough vet check and it was found she also had a healed old fracture on her hind leg, although we have no idea what may have caused this.
“Sadly i think she might have been the last of a litter that a breeder has not been able to sell and then she’s just been abandoned. She was clearly not being looked after well given that she is lacking in nutrition which is vital for large breeds when they are young.
“If anyone has any information as to how this pup was abandoned we would ask that they contact the RSPCA’s appeals line on 0300 123 8018.
“The puppy is now in the capable hands of the wonderful team at RSPCA Woodside Animal Centre and once she is given the all clear they will look to rehome her.
“I named her Cassie after a character in Coronation Street as I have been working with the soap on a hard-hitting storyline about puppy breeding. Cassie (played by Claire Sweeney ) saves the pups from their illegal breeder.
“As well as being an inspector I also work for our performing animal welfare team and so I was on set while they were filming scenes with the puppies.
“The team at Coronation Street were fantastic – showing great patience, listening to our advice and always putting the welfare of the puppies first.
“The storyline aired last Wednesday night and I collected Cassie on that Wednesday as well – so given she was a puppy it just seemed ideal to give her the corrie-related name!”
