Abandoned dog put to sleep due to severe matting

A matted dog found abandoned in a park was in such a bad condition that it had to be put to sleep, the RSPCA said.

The charity is investigating how the dog, a seven-year-old Shih Tzu named Charlotte, came to be in such a "terrible state".

The animal, who was microchipped, was found on Friday in Harold Park in the Low Moor area of Bradford and was taken to the RSPCA's Halifax branch.

Animal rescue officer Ollie Wilkes said due to the matts on Charlotte's legs, it had caused deformities and she was put to sleep by vets.

Mr Wilkes said inquiries had been made with a former owner but the charity was keen to know where Charlotte had lived recently and how she came to be in "such an awful condition".

He said: "It's heartbreaking to see a dog abandoned in this way, especially at this time of the year.

"We know that she'd have been unable to walk to the park where she was dumped herself so someone must have left her there.

"We're really keen to hear from anyone who recognises Charlotte or who knows where she's been."

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