3:57pm Wednesday 17th October 2007
BYRON the stray German Shepherd dog, who featured in Saturday's Advertiser in a plea for information about his former home, will have to be put down because of his injuries.
He was picked up by Swindon Council's dog warden earlier this month in a pitiful state, weighing just 29kgs, suffering from fleas and nearly bald from mange.
After being found abandoned in the Sevenfields area Byron, as he was named by rescuers, was taken to Drove Vets where his sore front leg was bandaged and treated.
But after a series of tests and X-rays the decision has been made that he will not be able to cope with the necessary treatment to control his condition.
Council animal welfare officer Alison Waine said: "Unfortunately X-rays have shown some sort of bone tumour in the front leg and there are a couple of things it could be, but they are extremely nasty.
"There are plenty of three-legged dogs out there and money isn't the object in his care, but he has not got the strength to be a three-legged dog. He also has some problems in his rear legs.
"The leg leaves him in constant pain, which is probably why he tore at his leg to begin with, and it has been like this for a long time."
Anyone with information about who Byron's owners were is asked to contact the RSPCA on its North Wiltshire cruelty line 0870 55 55 999 or Swindon Council's dog warden at dogwarden@swindon.gov.uk
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