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Dog found dead in Thetford Forest after being abandoned

A passer-by found a dead dog in Thetford Forest <i>(Image: Supplied)</i>
A passer-by found a dead dog in Thetford Forest (Image: Supplied)

A passer-by found a dead dog in Thetford Forest amid a rise in the number of pets being abandoned due to the cost of living crisis.

Penny Eggleston Hume, from Bury St Edmunds, runs Paws 'n' Claws Response and was called to pick up the dog after a walker found him.

The 12-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier was found dead behind a fallen tree trunk just within the forest, by a slip road off Thetford Road.

Ms Eggleston Hume drove the dog to Bury St Edmunds Veterinary Centre on May 22 but his chip could not be traced and the RSPCA was called to help.

"I did not expect my first job to be this," she said. "I've got four dogs myself, as well as other animals, and have always been surrounded by animals.

Eastern Daily Press: A passer-by found a dead dog in Thetford Forest
Eastern Daily Press: A passer-by found a dead dog in Thetford Forest

A passer-by found a dead dog in Thetford Forest (Image: Supplied)

"I couldn't leave him there on the side of the road - a child could have found him.

"There was just no need to discard him like that when there is help out there if you are struggling.

"My daughter who is 19 had to help me carry him as he was so heavy and she was so distressed.

"It was such an undignified way for him to be left, I even volunteered to pay for his cremation.

READ MORE: 'It's a scary time' - RSPCA centre in Norfolk 'inundated' with animals in need

"I thought, if he had been in the same family since he was a puppy, how could you let him end up like that?"

The RSPCA has been involved with this case.

A spokeswoman for the charity said: "This must have been very difficult for the member of the public to discover this poor dog.

"The RSPCA is pleading with people not to abandon animals and encourages anyone who is struggling, to seek help.

"We’ve recently launched a dedicated cost of living hub to help outline and signpost the help out there for owners."