By Liz Fowler

VETS AND animal welfare officers have been sickened by the horrific condition of a dog mistaken for a dead fox when it was found lying at a roadside in Angus.

The animal was unable to stand up due to muscle wastage and its coat was so filthy and matted it had to be removed under anaesthetic.

SSPCA inspectors say it is one of the worst cases of cruelty and neglect ever seen, with the pathetic creature in such poor state its life hangs in the balance.

Identifying the breed has proved almost impossible though it is believed to be a Tibetan terrier or Lhasa Apso. The dog’s age is also indeterminate.

A woman found the animal lying at a roadside near Edzell at around 4pm on Thursday. At first she thought it was a dead fox but then she noticed it moving.

The animal is undergoing treatment at Robsons’ veterinary hospital in Laurencekirk, being tube fed and given painkillers.

Senior partner Mike Robson said, “The coat was phenomenally matted, just like it was covered in all the jumpers from a jumble sale. It looks like it has had no grooming in years.

“He is more relaxed after being given painkillers, but still can’t stand up. He is in a very sorry state and very unhappy.

“Cases like this can point to somebody at the other end who has been unable to look after the dog, either geriatric or disabled for some other reason, who couldn’t take the dog out. When things get worse they become ashamed or simply can’t face up to it.

“It certainly looks like the dog has been in this state for years rather than months. His legs are like drainpipes. He may have been lying confined for so long he has lost the use of his limbs.

“We will review his condition tomorrow. But I don’t think he is likely to recover.”

SSPCA senior inspector Mark Lumgair has appealed for anybody with information that could lead to tracking down the person responsible to come forward.

He said, “The dog’s coat was in a horrendous state, badly matted and stained with urine. His muscles are so badly wasted he can’t stand up and he’s not able to respond to human contact.

“He’s possibly been confined to a tiny cage where he hasn’t been able to stand up or turn around.

“He has been fed enough to keep him alive, which is surprising, but he has not been groomed or exercised.

“For whatever reason he has simply been kept a prisoner, deprived of any social interaction or human company.

“It is utterly horrendous.

“This is among the worst cases I have ever seen of dog cruelty.

“He may have been dumped from another part of the country.

“But I would appeal for anybody who recognises this dog or who has any information that could lead us to the person responsible to come forward.”