Are we really a nation of animal lovers

Reading that a lurcher dog has been "found "confused and frightened" after apparently being abandoned outside a house in Peterborough" makes me wonder about the proud claim that "we are a nation of animal lovers."

The U.K. may have a better relationship with its animals than some countries but scratch the surface and you wonder if that is really true.

Jessie, our late girl above, came to us on a temporary basis after she was abandoned.

Aged around nine months she was left tied to a tree in the garden of her former home when her owners moved house. Jessie was in some ways one of the lucky ones.

Local dog rescue workers lived close by and her former owners knew that. She was not unscathed however from her early life experiences.

On the upside she lived with us more than 14 years, yes I know what happened to temporary, before she sadly died. Blind in later life she remained one of the sweetest-natured dogs we have ever had the pleasure of sharing our home with.

If you can help the RSPCA track down the person who abandoned the lurcher at the start of this story:

Sky News

​The lurcher was found suffering from the cold with extensive fur loss outside a house in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire.

The property had CCTV cameras and the animal charity now wants to speak to anyone who can identify the man.

Inspector Justin Stubbs said: "She looked so confused and frightened when I arrived.

"She was curled up on the ground with big clumps of fur missing and the sore pink skin showing."
The lurcher, which is thought to be about four years old and has been named Ella by staff, is being treated for a skin infection and will be taken to an RSPCA animal centre.
​
Anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV, who was wearing dark clothing and had his hood up, is asked to call 0300 123 8018.

There could be many reasons why the dog was abandoned.

But if you find you can no longer care properly for your pet abandoning should not be an option you even consider.

As for a nation of animal lovers - is that really a description that is fit for purpose in 2017?

Give a lurcher a home SOS
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-3840430
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3391751/Abandoned-lurcher-puppy-weighed-just-three-kilos-barely-stand-roadside-finally-finds-new-home.html