Lancashire workmen find starving puppy lying in filthy crate

A starving puppy has been found abandoned, surrounded by faeces and dirty bedding, at a block of flats.

Council workmen discovered the frightened dog lying in a crate on the second floor of a property in Skelmersdale, Lancashire, on 25 September.

The dog, estimated to be about a year old, was emaciated and riddled with fleas which had caused its hair to fall out in several areas, the RSPCA said.

Elliot Kirwan, director and veterinary surgeon at Potter House Vets in Up Holland, said the puppy, now named Nova, still had "a long way to go but she's heading in the right direction".

Warning: This story contains distressing pictures

"Nova is very cautious on a walk and has clearly never had a collar or lead put on," added Mr Kirwan.

"It was absolutely heart-breaking to see her in this condition, but amazing how she still has this level of trust and love for humans after the way she's been treated by them."

When discovered, Nova only weighed about 18lb (8kg).

While the puppy had been microchipped, the owner's details had not been updated.

David Hatton, the RSPCA animal collection officer investigating the incident in Eversley, said: "It would appear whoever she belonged to had decided to simply wash their hands of her.

"Understandably she was scared and bewildered by what was happening and we'd sincerely like to thank the workers for promptly taking her for veterinary treatment so she could get the help she needed as quickly as possible."

The RSPCA has asked anyone who recognises Nova to come forward.