Heartbreak as a dog was discarded in a pillowcase together with 'soiled nappies'

The RSPCA figures show there have been 1,529 incidents of abandoned animals in the first month of 2023, compared to 1,390 for the same period in 2022 - a rise of 10%.

The charity believes that the cost of living crisis, coupled with post-festive season financial pressure on pet owners drive the devastating statistics.

But as help is available, no money problems can justify the cruelty of the owners who dumped their adorable black and white dog in a pillowcase with unwanted household items.

Discarded with ‘soiled nappies’

The poor dog was found inside a ‘white, with a faded floral design’ pillowcase filled with used nappies, children’s clothing labels and jars of organic baby food, all dumped alongside a stream in England.

RSPCA inspector Vicki McDonald attended the heartbreaking scene after the charity was contacted about the incident.

She said:

When I arrived at the scene I saw the head of a small black and white Jack Russell-type dog poking out of the pillowcase and I could feel it also contained other items.

When we opened it up at the hospital I was shocked to find she had been placed inside a JD Sports carrier bag, along with soiled nappies and various other items of household rubbish.

As well as nappies, there were tags for McKenzie sportswear, Disney baby clothes from George at Asda and jars of HIPP baby food.

The dog was taken to Greater Manchester Animal Hospital for further examination but sadly, the animal didn’t make it.

A post-mortem scan showed the pup wasn’t microchipped and there was no obvious cause of death.

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‘Thrown out like nothing more than a piece of household rubbish’

Due to the circumstances in which the dog was found, the incident is being treated as suspicious.

McDonald admitted:

Even as an experienced officer, it was a distressing sight to see a dog, who’d presumably once been a much-loved pet, disposed of in this heartless way, thrown out like nothing more than a piece of household rubbish.

The inspector is keen to find out who owned the pooch, how it died and why it ended up being abandoned ‘in such a cruel and undignified manner’.

As animal rescues across the country are under extreme pressure due to the extraordinary amount of abandoned pets at the moment, RSPCA appeals to more animal lovers to come forward and foster or adopt them. Head to RSPCA's website to learn more about the charity and support their vital animal welfare and rescue work.

Read more:

⋙ Heartbreak over an abandoned dog found starving and in horrendous condition

⋙ Two dogs were heartlessly left to starve as their owners jet-setted on holidays

Sources used:

- ITV News: 'Dog dies after being abandoned in pillowcase in Clayton Brook in Lancashire'