Dog named Boo is found dumped in graveyard with infected eyeball 'popping out of her head'

An elderly dog has been rescued after it was found abandoned in a graveyard with one of its eyes 'popping out of her head', say the RSPCA.
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The animal charity is appealing for information to find the person responsible for dumping the elderly and neglected dog, who they have named Boo ahead of Halloween.

The terrified shih tzu, believed to be around 10 years of age, was found with matted fur and a severe eye infection in Ramsbottom Cemetery, near Bury, at 4.30pm on Sunday, October 18.

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A member of the public found her tied up inside the graveyard, where the cemetery gates had been closed, leaving her unlikely to be discovered for some time.

An elderly and matted dog, whose eye was so infected it was popping out from her head, has been rescued by the RSPCA after it was found dumped in a graveyard in Ramsbottom, near Bury. Pic: RSPCAAn elderly and matted dog, whose eye was so infected it was popping out from her head, has been rescued by the RSPCA after it was found dumped in a graveyard in Ramsbottom, near Bury. Pic: RSPCA
An elderly and matted dog, whose eye was so infected it was popping out from her head, has been rescued by the RSPCA after it was found dumped in a graveyard in Ramsbottom, near Bury. Pic: RSPCA

Luckily for Boo, a woman heard her barking and went to investigate. She found Boo in a distressed state and rushed her to a nearby vet, who then reported the matter to the RSPCA.

One of the charity's animal rescue inspectors, Demi Hodby, visited the clinic where she found Boo "terrified" and "trembling".

The infection had ravaged one of Boo's eyes, causing it to become enlarged and "pop out from her head', said Demi, who said she was shocked to see the shih tzu in such a terrible state.

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She said: "Poor Boo was so terrified she was trembling and was in a terrible condition. She couldn't see anything because she was blind in the infected eye and the other one was covered in matts.

One of the shih tzu's eyes was so badly infected that it was enlarged and popping out from her head. Pic: RSPCAOne of the shih tzu's eyes was so badly infected that it was enlarged and popping out from her head. Pic: RSPCA
One of the shih tzu's eyes was so badly infected that it was enlarged and popping out from her head. Pic: RSPCA

"She couldn’t see where she was going and was frightened when anyone went near her.

"Her eye was so swollen and badly infected it was bulging from her head and must have caused her a lot of pain and suffering.

"There was also crusting round her face from where the infection was coming from her eye.

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“But following treatment Boo seems to be making good progress and when she is fully rehabilitated we will be able to look for a new home for her.”

The terrified dog was found in Ramsbottom Cemetery, off Cemetery Road, in Ramsbottom, near Bury, Lancashire, by a concerned member of the public at about 4.30pm on Sunday, October 18). Pic: RSPCAThe terrified dog was found in Ramsbottom Cemetery, off Cemetery Road, in Ramsbottom, near Bury, Lancashire, by a concerned member of the public at about 4.30pm on Sunday, October 18). Pic: RSPCA
The terrified dog was found in Ramsbottom Cemetery, off Cemetery Road, in Ramsbottom, near Bury, Lancashire, by a concerned member of the public at about 4.30pm on Sunday, October 18). Pic: RSPCA

Boo received treatment at the vets, where her filthy, matted fur was cut off, and when her condition stabilised on Tuesday (October 20) she was taken to Greater Manchester Animal Hospital (GMAH) for further treatment.

Sadly, the vet decided that her prolapsed eye was so severely infected that she had to undergo an operation to have it removed.

Shannon McCall, the vet who treated Boo at GMAH, said: "Boo came into our care in a state of neglect.

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"She had suffered an injury to her eye that was traumatic in nature, her entire eye was prolapsed out of her head and she had no vision left in it.

Boo is now recuperating from her ordeal in RSPCA care, but an investigation has been launched to trace the person responsible for abandoning her. Pic: RSPCABoo is now recuperating from her ordeal in RSPCA care, but an investigation has been launched to trace the person responsible for abandoning her. Pic: RSPCA
Boo is now recuperating from her ordeal in RSPCA care, but an investigation has been launched to trace the person responsible for abandoning her. Pic: RSPCA

"There was a lot of bruising and blood around the eye and it was very swollen and painful. The other eye was also severely infected.

"The condition of her coat was dreadful, with lots of matts present and she had an underlying skin infection. Her nails were very long and had started to curl into her pads.

"We sedated her, shaved out her matts, clipped her nails and removed her eye. She is currently on medication for her remaining eye to keep it lubricated and infection free.

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"She is on antibiotics for her skin and pain relief until her eye heals.

"She is understandably still quite nervous at the moment but with time we hope she will begin to trust us on her road to recovery so she can find her new home."

An RSPCA investigation has been launched to trace the person responsible for abandoning Boo, who is continuing to recuperate from her ordeal in RSPCA care.RSPCA Inspector Demi Hodby

Inspector Hodby is now appealing for information from anyone who may recognise the owner of the dog or can give information as to who is responsible for abandoning her.

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Anyone with information should call the RSPCA appeals line on 0800 123 8018.

To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care, you can visit the website or call the donation line on 0300 123 8181.

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