A DUMPED dog suffering from the advanced stages of cancer was the worst case of animal neglect a vet had ever seen, police said today.
The nine-year-old rottweiler was dumped in an Edinburgh street by its owner, who had failed to get any medical treatment for it, officers said.
The emaciated male dog was suffering from cancerous growths to its paws, which had burst and were bleed
ing, as well as a collapsed lung where the disease had spread.
Only hours after it was found and taken to a vet on Friday, a decision was made to put the dog down to end its "horrific" suffering which is thought to have lasted several weeks.
Police are now hunting the owner who left the rottweiler chained up outside a house in Trinity Road, where it was found by a distressed resident.
The dog showed no sign of having had medical attention and officers think it was dumped after the owner chose not to seek help.
If traced, the owner could face charges under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2006 for "causing unnecessary suffering to an animal" or "through inaction allowing an animal to suffer". Courts can hand out a maximum of 12 months in jail, a £20,000 fine and a life ban on owning an animal.
Sergeant Jill Geany, from Drylaw police station, said: "The dog was chained up on the pavement outside a house. Officers were called by a resident at 11am and they found the dog was very emaciated and could barely stand up. It was tired and in great pain.
"The officers had to carry the animal into the van before taking it to a vet.
"The vet examined the dog and found it was in the advanced stages of cancer. He said it was the worst case of animal neglect they had ever seen."
The rottweiler was wearing a black collar with gold studs and a green lead with 'Harrods' on it.
Officers made door-to-door inquiries, but drew a blank.
The vet who treated the dog at the Braid Vets Hospital, Mayfield Road, said: "The dog was very thin and weak. It had a large, painful growth on its left forepaw and the cancer had spread to its lungs. It had been in the advanced stages of the disease for several weeks.
"The dog had been denied veterinary care to ease its suffering. It's sometimes difficult to prove wilful neglect, rather than being wildly ignorant, but the fact that it was abandoned and the severity of its condition suggests neglect."
Even owners unable to pay bills can visit the PDSA, while vets' surgeries would never turn away a suffering animal due to costs.
Scottish SPCA Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said: "We are very concerned at the dreadful condition this animal was in.
"We would expect whoever has done this to receive a life ban."
Anyone with information can call police on 0131 311 3131, or Crimestoppers in confidence and anonymity on 0800 555 111.
