Paralysed dog abandoned on canal bank 'by owners who did not want to pay to put her to sleep'

A paralysed dog was abandoned on a canal bank by its owners, the RSPCA claims.

The charity believes that Coco, a French bulldog, was left after her owners did not want to pay for her to be humanely put to sleep. Its officers are now investigating and asking members of the public to come forward with information.

Coco was discovered by a member of the public near a Tesco store in Burnley, Lancashire last month. In a statement, the charity said: "The RSPCA is appealing for information after a French bulldog who had lost the use of her back legs was abandoned on the bank of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in Burnley. The black and tan female dog was discovered by a member of the public and taken to a local veterinary practice where a scan for a microchip revealed she was called Coco.

READ MORE: LIVE Emergency services scrambled and cordon in place following 'road rage incident' near Tesco

"An examination found she had urine scalding on her stomach and was unable to use her back legs or toilet independently. The RSPCA was alerted about the incident after Coco was discovered on the bank of the canal near the Finsley Gate Tesco Extra store at about 1pm on Monday 2 September.

"The charity has been told that someone had called the practice and was informed how much it would cost to have her euthanised, but she was never brought in. Attempts to contact the owner registered on Coco’s microchip were unsuccessful, and vets said her welfare was severely compromised and they believed it was the kindest option to put her to sleep.

"RSPCA officers have spent the past month making enquiries and speaking to neighbours in the Burnley Lane area, where Coco’s owner is believed to have lived, but it is understood they have moved away. The charity is now asking the public to get in touch if they recognise her or have any information which could help the investigation."

Kelly Nix, an animal rescue officer, said: “We’re extremely concerned about the very poor condition that Coco was in when she was found, and we’d like to thank the veterinary team and the member of the public who stopped and ensured she got the help she needed as quickly as possible. We believe she was abandoned on the canal because her owners couldn’t, or didn’t want to pay for her to be humanely put to sleep.

"It’s very sad, and completely unnecessary, to see pets left in situations like this. It’s the responsibility of us all to show kindness and compassion to all animals and that includes doing the right thing by them when they become poorly and need veterinary help.”

The RSPCA is asking anyone with information to contact its appeals line on 0300 123 8018, quoting incident number 01344248.