A SPRINGER Spaniel found unable to stand and abandoned at bins behind a Pokesdown funeral parlour is now on the road to recovery.

Three-year-old Dolly was found lying on the ground and extremely weak on July 13 by a member of the public.

She is now in the hands on the RSPCA where she is receiving treatment.

Inspector Jo Story said: “Dolly is a lot perkier than she was. She is unable to get up but she wags her tail, her eyes follow you round the room and she can lift up her front leg to give you paw too.

"We are all so pleased with the progress she has made already but she is so poorly she has a long way to go yet. She is a little fighter.

“She is receiving intensive care at a local vets and they are doing a fantastic job looking after her.

“At the moment she cannot move by herself she needs to be turned every few hours to prevent sores.

“We think she was an owned dog that was dumped as she had her nails clipped recently. But she is so extremely thin and weak it will have taken quite a while for her to get into this state.

“We have received some information from the public about Dolly which we are investigating but we would still urge anyone who might know where she has been for the last month or so to contact us on our Inspectorate Appeal Line 0300 123 8018."

Ms Story added: “She is so emaciated and very weak. Poor Dolly is the thinnest dog I have seen in a very long time.

“I see cases of dogs dumped like Dolly on a regular basis but she was so incredibly thin and weak it just breaks my heart. The condition she was found in is just disgusting and no animal should be left in this state without veterinary treatment.

“If the kind member of the public had not found her we do not know how long she would’ve been left to suffer there. She was covered in urine and faeces and was very dirty.”

Anyone with information can contact the RSPCA inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018.

The RSPCA is raising money for Dolly’s veterinary treatment. Anyone who would like to make a donation can visit rspca.org.uk/dolly.