Huskies locked up with no water celebrate first Christmas in loving homes
Five ailing huskies that were found locked in a corridor under horrifying conditions are now preparing to celebrate their first Christmas in loving homes after being rescued.
The three adult dogs and two puppies were kept in a hallway with a single cage, with no access to bedding, water or food. The property smelled strongly of stale urine and two of the adult dogs, Rex and Susie, were very thin. The two puppies, Bella and Annie, were also very subdued and tests later revealed that they, along with Rex and Rosie, had suffered permanent kidney damage from a lack of water.
The RSPCA had been called in to rescue the dogs and conduct an investigation. The woman responsible for them was prosecuted and pleaded guilty to three animal welfare offences, two of causing unnecessary suffering and one of failing to meet all of the dogs' needs. She was disqualified from keeping all animals for 15 years, sentenced to six months custody suspended for two years and ordered to pay £600 costs.
The huskies locked in corridor with no access to bedding, water or food (RSPCA)Meanwhile, RSPCA staff began the long the process of bringing the distressed dogs back to health. Rex and Susie came under the charity's care at their Brent Knoll Branch, while Rosie and her two puppies went into the care of RSPCA West Hatch Animal Centre near Taunton. The dogs were all rehabilitated before being rehomed - and will now be spending their very first festive season with their caring new owners.
The dogs' happy new homes are a world away from the misery they endured. Shocking pictures show just how Rex was emaciated when he was first rescued, with all his ribs visible. He weighed just 29.8kg (65.7lb). His fur was dirty and greasy, and he had sore areas on his hocks and reddened skin. RSPCA inspector Jo Daniel said: “During the vet examination, Rex jumped up at the sink in the consultation room and held his nose to the tap.
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"The vet provided a bowl of fresh water which he drank frantically. He was then offered a bowl of special wet food which he immediately ate with vigour. However, as soon as a second bowl of water was placed on the floor, he left the food and drank more water - a vet said she had never before witnessed such excessive thirst in an animal during her whole career.”
Rex was emaciated when he was first rescued, with all his ribs visibleResults indicated Rex had suffered permanent kidney damage as a result of not having access to water. He was rehomed to Gary and Sylvia Orton in Worle, Weston-super-Mare, and is now a laid-back dog who loves spending time with other dogs and doing what they describe as his ‘happy dance’ before walks. New owner Gary said: “He settled in so quickly. I think he was just relieved to be here and considering what he came from he’s doing brilliantly. He’s very laid-back..”
Gary and Sylvia with Rex now, who they say has 'settled in so quickly' to his new home (RSPCA)Gary, Sylvia and step-son Steve adopted Rex after they sadly lost their husky Noo Noo in March and wanted a friend for Bernard, their St Bernard. Unfortunately, poor Bernard suffered from epilepsy and passed away, so they decided to adopt a female German Shepherd cross called Frannie. The pair ‘fell for each other’ immediately and have been inseparable ever since. Gary added: “He’s a really good dog, they’re part of the family aren’t they? We’re chuffed, we couldn’t have asked for a better dog and we’re so glad we could give him a good life. This Christmas, Rex and I will go out with the mountain bike and do some off-roading which he loves. I think we’ll follow that up with a turkey dinner and Rex might just get some too!”
'Laid-back' Rex will be treated to Christmas dinner this year, his owner revealed (RSPCA)Susie was also underweight with stained, unpleasant smelling fur when she was rescued. She weighed just 20.4kg (45lb) and her ribs were visible, as well as the bottom of her spine and pelvic bones. She also consumed water with unusual enthusiasm and her urine results were “off the scale” due to lack of water. She had also had puppies around 10 weeks prior to her rescue.
She was rehomed by Hermione Gray in Tiverton, Devon, in May, and lives on a smallholding surrounded by fields with plenty of space to run around. Hermione said: “ I don’t know what I’d do without her. At first, she would just sit next to me but wouldn’t want too much fuss. Then after a month or two, she wanted to lick my face and be cuddly with me all the time. She stretches out now and looks like a pretzel and it’s obvious she is so relaxed. When I took her out for walks at first she would be exhausted after half an hour but now we walk for about four hours overall every day and she loves it.”
Hermione is a paddle board instructor, and has now trained Susie up to go out on the water - something which she says she loves. The pair live in the annexe of the property, while her parents and their two dogs live in the main house which - meaning Susie also has plenty of opportunities to spend time with her whippet pals, Nancy and Hettie. Hermione added: “For me it was love at first sight with Susie but she was a bit more apprehensive. Unfortunately, that’s just what she’s like with new people until she gets to know them but she’s built a bond with me and now she won’t leave me alone! We struck gold with Susie. She’s fab.”
Hermione and her dog Susie, who was underweight when rescued but is now healthy (RSPCA)
Susie has been trained to go out into the water when Hermione goes paddleboarding (RSPCA)Although Rosie was in a better body condition than the others when rescued, her fur was soiled and foul smelling, and she was found to have dental disease. She was also suffering from fleas. Later, tests also revealed that she was suffering from permanent renal injury. Rosie was rehomed by Steven and Maddie Hughes and Steven’s son Devan, 12, in Somerset in April this year, where she enjoys long walks in the park and the company of their pet tortoise Raphael.
Maddie said: “Rosie is great and so relaxed and chilled out. She was nervous at first but now she’s full of energy, jumping around all excitedly whenever she sees us. She used to be awake a lot of the day sitting around on the sofa just looking out of the window but now she sleeps most of the day and is awake in the evening. It’s like she’s able to show us her vulnerability now and can fall asleep around us whereas before she was too alert.” Thankfully, Maddie and Steve have been able to manage Rosie’s renal problems by changing her diet meaning it doesn’t impact her anymore.
Puppy Annie was meanwhile rehomed to Sophie Tallis in the Cotswolds. She said the dog is doing "amazingly well" and "loves attention and fuss". "From being extremely nervous and anxious of any human contact due to her terrible experiences in early life, she now loves being handled and fussed over", Sophie added.
The other puppy, Bella, went to Mark and Tracey Baldwin in Cardiff. Mark said: “Bella has settled in very well. She greets all the family whenever one of us comes home and gives us kisses. She gets on well with our other dog Enzo and her temperament compliments him well. We couldn’t have made a better choice in adopting Bella.”
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The RSPCA are teaming up with Omaze this Christmas for a special charity version of the Million Pound House Draw, with all proceeds ring-fenced for frontline officers, helping them to rescue more animals. Dermot Murphy, RSPCA inspectorate commissioner, said: “As many of us prepare for a cosy Christmas with our loved ones and our much-loved pets, there are sadly thousands of animals facing a bleaker reality. The RSPCA needs your help more than ever to help animals because animal neglect and abandonment are reaching a three-year high this festive season.
"RSPCA rescue teams are set to be busier than ever this Christmas. This year, abandonments have soared and many rescue centres are full to bursting. Right now, thousands of animals are facing pain and misery. But by buying a ticket to be in with a chance of winning the fantastic Omaze house, you can help the RSPCA transform countless animals’ lives this Christmas just like Rex, Susie, Rosie, Annie and Bella.”
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