COUNTY NEWS: Dehydrated dog dumped in alley

The dog, possibly a whippet or small lurcher, was found by a member of the public last Tuesday, in a narrow alley that runs behind the allotments at Prince Charles Close, in the Mile Oak Road area.

It appears to have suffered from severe dehydration.

When the Adur & Worthing dog warden team spoke to dog walkers in the area, all reported that the dog was not there on the previous evening and was first noticed early on Tuesday.

A council spokesman said: ”It is unknown if this was an animal cruelty case or a sad natural death, but as the dog obviously did not die where it was found, we are keen to hear from anyone who can help us find out what did happened and hopefully help us make sure this kind of unacceptable behaviour is not repeated. Please be assured that we treat all calls in total confidence.”

Billy Elliott, senior animal rescue officer for Worthing and District Animal Rescue Service (WADARS), said dehydration could set in very quickly in an enclosed environment.

He said: “We have already had one or two calls since last week about people leaving dogs in cars while they have gone to do their shopping or stopping off to do something.

“Cars can become an oven if parked in the wrong place and in direct sunlight.

“We can take weeks to die from starvation but literally hours or days to die from dehydration.”

Mr Elliott believes the dog found in Southwick is likely to have died in a short period of time. He said if there had been signs of starvation that would indicate long term negligence.

Adur and Worthing Dog Warden Service can be contacted on 01903 239999 or by email at [email protected]

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