'Whimpering' dog found tied to tree and abandoned by her owner

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A dog that had recently given birth to puppies was found tied to a tree in a 'terrified' state. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier dog, was found 'whimpering' by a man who was walking home through a wooded area at the Anfield Sports Club, Liverpool, in the early hours of the morning on Saturday (October 8).

The dog, which has been named Ann, after the place where it was found, is in the care of Greater Manchester Animal Hospital the Echo reports. RSPCA inspector Nadine Penguily launched an appeal to find the person responsible as she is also concerned the dog had recently had puppies and is worried about their well-being.

She said: "Poor Ann has clearly been neglected as she is so thin and it is clear she has recently had puppies as her teats are swollen and she still has milk. I am concerned that someone could just abandon her in this state and am also worried for the welfare of her puppies. I do wonder if someone has sold on the pups and made their money and then decided to dump her.

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"I am keen to hear from anyone who may know who is responsible for dumping Ann in such an irresponsible way. She is quite a distinctive dog with a black patch over one eye. She is super-friendly and in spite of what she has been through is very loving.

"Times are tough at the moment and we understand that many families are struggling to cope, particularly given the rising cost of living, and we fear that we’ll see many, many more pets being relinquished to charities or abandoned because their owners simply don’t know where to turn. But abandoning pets like this is so irresponsible and cruel.

"Please, please never