Cruel ordeal over
It’s hard to imagine how scared Maude and Ethel must have been when they were left tied to a tree.
Frantic with fear, the two French bulldogs – who we believe were abandoned by an unscrupulous breeder – managed to break free from their collars to escape.
But with nowhere to go, the poor dogs ran into the road where they were thankfully found by a passerby.
Still producing milk, it was clear the pair of French bulldogs had been feeding puppies before they were abandoned near to the Blue Cross rehoming centre in Thirsk, North Yorkshire.
What was even more evident was the “terrible state” the new mums had been left in, says Centre Manager Danni Shirreffs.
“They were really frightened and confused, and we believe they’ve been bred from and then dumped,” she explains.
Distressing CCTV clearly shows the dogs being “manhandled and tied to a tree”, adds Danni.
“They were abandoned in a terrible state, with clear health problems,” she says. “Maude is really sore on her back, with patches of skin missing.
“Ethel has multiple haematomas (lumps) in her right ear, and the pinna (outer ear) is filled with blood so the ear has flopped down.
“They still had milk so we don’t know what has happened to the puppies.”
This case is a prime example of why Blue Cross has long campaigned for stricter legislation around dog breeding. We’re repeatedly left picking up the pieces of irresponsible and often cruel breeders, who cause so many pets to suffer.
For poor Maude and Ethel, our first priority was to get the terrified dogs seen by a vet.
With Maude’s severe skin issues initially suspected as the contagious condition mange, our team had to take extra precautions to ensure there was no risk of passing on the illness.
Meanwhile, little Ethel’s ear problems were causing her serious discomfort.
As a brachycephalic breed, with a small skull and flat face, French bulldogs are genetically more prone to ear problems because of their narrow ear canals.
For Ethel, the cauliflower-like cluster of swellings was completely blocking her ear canal, making it impossible to examine the full extent of the problem.
Our team worked hard to make the abandoned dogs as comfortable as possible after their awful ordeal.
With routine care including flea and worming treatments and vaccinations completed, the three-year-old dogs could begin to take the next steps towards a more settled life.
Working with a Blue Cross Rehabilitation Trainer and Behaviour Advisor, our team started to introduce the lovable silver and apricot dogs to different experiences.
The pair began to enjoy playtime together in the paddock while they recovered from their trauma.
Soon, they found a fresh start and a loving home where they could remain together.
Maude and Ethel found the happy ending they deserved. But, for so many dogs like them from backyard breeding setups, the outcome is heartbreakingly different.
Cases like theirs are the reason Blue Cross has been campaigning on this issue for so long – and we’re pleased the government is listening to our calls for change. It has committed to a consultation on an introduction of a new registration scheme for all dog breeders, which we welcome.
Becky Thwaites, Head of Public Affairs, says: “Maude and Ethel’s case shows the suffering caused by substandard regulation in the dog breeding industry.
“So many dogs like them will continue to suffer unless urgent changes to the law are made.
“We’re so pleased to see the government looking into the introduction of a new system of licensing and registration for dog breeding.
“If implemented, this should bring more traceability and visibility to the trade and make it easier for prospective pet owners to distinguish between the good and bad breeders.”
