Neglected puppy Bertie is the latest canine victim to be taken to the Capricorn Animal Rescue, Padeswood in Flintshire.

The injuries that the tiny Jack Russell/beagle cross has suffered are so bad that the flesh on his front legs has started to rot away.

Bertie was taken to the centre early last week after he was found lying in a gutter by a woman who was driving past.

The emaciated pup was taken to Grange Veterinary Hospital in Mold, where he was found to be suffering from untreated, infected injuries to his front legs.

Vets had to open up the wounds to clean the infection before setting it in plaster but a second visit to check the wounds found the flesh had began to rot away.

Rescue workers are now battling to save Bertie's leg by bathing the wound in salt water three times a day.

Owner Sheila Stewart said it was one of the more serious cases of neglect she has seen in recent times.

"He is malnourished, emaciated and his teeth are that bad that we can't tell how old he is but he is only a young dog," she said.

"The neglect that he must have suffered for his wounds to be so bad doesn't bear thinking about. "He has been in so much pain, I can't imagine what he has been through."

Sheila said that staff were hoping for a full recovery for Bertie, and while his infections were serious, the little dog was feeding well.

She added: "Bertie is having five small meals a day as his stomach can not yet tolerate much food.

"But he must have been that hungry in the past that if I leave him in the kitchen and there is nothing around for him to eat he will go straight to the cat litter tray and eat that.

"He has been used to eating anything in the past to survive."

Sheila, who has had 45 years of experience working with abandoned animals said she is often disheartened by the treatment of the animals she takes in.

"But I have to put a positive twist on it or I wouldn't be able to sleep at night," she added.

"Cruelty is often caused by ignorance. I just hope what goes around comes around and these owners one day know the pain they have caused to this little dog."

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