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Stafford ‘had appalling skin condition’

The RSPCA is appealing for information in a bid to trace the owner of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier which was found curled up at the side of a Somerset road and covered in open wounds.

At first glance, the black and white dog, found near Bridgwater on the morning of Wednesday 30 March, was believed to have been the victim of a dogfight. His head was bleeding and covered in open wounds.

However, after being collected by the RSPCA, Murphy, (as he has since been called), was rushed to a vet, where he was identified as suffering from a severe skin condition, probably mange, which has gone untreated and become infected.

RSPCA inspector Jo Daniel, who is investigating, said: "On first inspection you could quite easily think that Murphy has been involved in illegal dog fighting. His face was so swollen and sore and there were open and infected sores all over his head. His ears were also sore and bleeding and he was in a terrible state and very uncomfortable.

"A skin condition does not get this bad overnight, and his owners must have realised there was a problem weeks if not months, ago, but it seems they chose to ignore it and Murphy has suffered as a result. "

Inspector Daniel is keen to speak to Murphy’s owner and is appealing for anyone who know who owns him to get in touch with the RSPCA.

Anyone with information about Murphy’s history is urged to contact the RSPCA cruelty and information line on 08705 555 999. Calls are treated in strictest confidence and charged at the national rate.