THE MALNOURISHED dog at the centre of ‘the worst case of animal neglect in Swindon’ remains in intensive care but the outlook looks better.

The next 48 hours will be ‘crucial’ for the three-year-old whippet, which has been nicknamed Star by the rescue team, who was found close to death in Abbey Meads on Tuesday and featured in the Adver on Wednesday.

Animal welfare officer at Swindon Council, Alison Waine, said tests had confirmed that it is definitely a case of neglect and she had not been roaming the streets for long before they picked her up.

“She is still very poorly and she is still in intensive care at the vets. It is still very much touch and go but she is hanging in there,” she said.

“We have found with the tests the only thing wrong with her is extreme neglect. The next 24 and 48 hours will be crucial for her, if she pulls through that then her chances will be much greater.”

Star weighs less than half her normal body weight at just 6.6kgs, she is covered in mange and has a serious worms problem.

“She is having the absolute best of care at the vets. She has got the best possible opportunity and she seems to be a little fighter,” she said.

“We have got our fingers crossed.”

Alison said they are keen to find the owner and they are very grateful to everyone who has helped provide information and donations so far.

“We had a lovely response from the public offering donations of money, blankets and food.

“We had a few people call us with possible leads but unfortunately they didn’t come to anything. We would really appreciate any information, even people thinking ‘I’m sure that probably isn’t anything at all’ pass it on to us because you never know what might be a key thing in finding out who did this,” she said.

After receiving emergency veterinary treatment in Swindon, Star will be taken to a lurcher and greyhound rescue centre in Evesham where it is hoped she will make a full recovery. When she is back to full health, it is hoped that she will be rehomed.

Anyone with information on who the owners of the dog are should call the Animal Welfare Team on 01793 445500.

Anyone interested in making donations towards her care can visit the Evesham Lurcher and Greyhound Rescue website – www.lurcher.org.uk/ or call 01386 853971.