He was found bleeding and tied up near a canal, but he has now found love

A dog that was found tied-up and bleeding near a canal in Greater Manchester after being abandoned is preparing for his first Christmas in his new home.

Enzo, a young bull breed-type dog, was found on 1 February this year by a member of the public after he’d been tied up with a piece of rope and left near the Peak Forest Canal at Woodley Precinct in Stockport.

He was covered in scabs and sores, some of which were bleeding, and large parts of his body were bald. The person who found him took him to the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital where he received urgent treatment.

READ MORE: Salford family's pet poodle unrecognisable after vanishing for four months

He was later transferred to the charity’s Warrington, Halton and St Helens animal centre on Slutchers Lane, Warrington, where he received further treatment and care.

Although he was microchipped, the details hadn’t been registered and despite a media appeal and an investigation by the RSPCA, his owner couldn’t be traced. However he has now been successfully re-homed.

In May, he was adopted by legal adviser Ana Freitas, 29, who had been looking to rehome a rescue dog after moving to the UK from Brazil to work.

“I’d initially gone to the centre to see another dog but when I met him I thought he was going to be too big for me," she said. "The staff mentioned Enzo was looking for a home and when I saw him it was love at first sight and I knew straight away I wanted to adopt him.

“I drove home, got everything ready and then returned to Warrington the next day to pick him up. It was so sad hearing about his past but he’s the most amazing dog who loves people.

"From the first moment he came into the house he hasn’t left my side. He settled in beautifully and on the first night he slept on my bed with his paw on my arm.”

He is 'obsessed' with tennis balls, Ana, who lives near Congleton in Cheshire, said. He also loves going for walks in the countryside near her house and they have also been camping together - although she says he hates getting wet.

“Enzo is not only really smart but also incredibly caring, especially with children, and he’s formed a lovely bond with my four-year-old godson. He's made a remarkable transition from a difficult past to a life filled with love and joy," she said.

“His presence has made my days brighter and filled with so much love. There are so many dogs in rescue that need good homes and I think it’s especially hard for bigger breeds like Enzo.

"I’d always wanted to adopt and I’d encourage other people to go along to their nearest RSPCA rehoming centre and do the same as it’s wonderful to be able to give an unwanted animal a second chance.”

RSPCA Inspector, Ryan King, said: “Enzo had been badly let down by his previous owner and had simply been tied up with a piece of rope and cast aside in a dreadful condition.

“It took many weeks of care by the wonderful team at our Warrington animal centre to get him back to full health, although he will always bear some permanent scars from his past neglect. We’re so grateful to Ana for offering him a fantastic home where he’s loved and enjoying life to the full, just as it should be."

The RSPCA has released startling statistics to highlight the battle frontline rescuers face ahead of what is expected to be another bleak winter for thousands of animals as part of its Join The Christmas Rescue campaign.

In Greater Manchester, the number of abandonements reported to the RSPCA in 2023 was 1,250 up from 942 in 2021 . Nationally, the RSPCA received 4,630 incidents of pets who were reported to have been left to fend for themselves during winter between November 2023 and January 2024. This compares to 3,071 incidents of abandonment during the same period in 2021 - a 51 percent increase.

The charity believes the surge in pet ownership during the Covid-19 lockdown and the cost of living crisis have led to the increase in people dumping their pets.

Mr King added: ""It takes time and patience to rehabilitate dogs like Enzo which is why we’ve launched our Join The Christmas Rescue fund-raising campaign so we can help even more animals like him"