Dog rescued by Cornwall RSPCA from tiny cage

When 10-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier Hippo arrived at the RSPCA’s Cornwall branch in January, staff were reduced to tears by the pitiful state of the little dog.

Hippo before

An RSPCA inspector had been called to a home by members of the public who were concerned about the welfare of a dog inside - but no one was prepared for what they were about to see.

A spokesperson from the Cornwall branch, who took Hippo in, said: “Hippo had been kept isolated in a small crate for years. She was seized by police and brought straight into us.

“Multiple tears were shed as we watched her struggle. The muscle in her rear legs had completely wasted away, she had to be supported to help her walk and she looked heavily pregnant due to being so bloated because of malnutrition.

Hippo enjoying his best life

“She was suffering from arthritis, was completely emaciated, and had a serious luxating patella (or dislocated knee). Most of her hair had fallen out and she was suffering from Cushing diseases, as a result of the stress. Vet suspected she’d been like this for years. It was absolutely heartbreaking to see the state she was in.”

She received emergency vet care and a wonderful fosterer came forward to help her.

Hippo enjoying his best life

Today, Hippo looks like a different dog. She’s much more mobile and now loves to run at the beach and play football in the park with her foster family who have now decided to adopt her! Her fur is growing back, her Cushing’s disease is being managed and she’s finally living a life free of stress and pain.