When a man walked into West Mount Vets in England wearing a hoodie and tracksuit and carrying a box, no one thought anything of it at first. He could have been someone just coming in to seek help for his pets, but before the staffers at the vet’s office even realized what was happening, the man put the box down in the reception area and quickly walked out. Confused, the staffers peeked inside — and discovered two bald puppies, desperately in need of medical attention.
Shocked and bewildered, the staffers quickly called for help and the puppies were taken in by the Leeds, Wakefield and District branch of the RSPCA.
The puppies, now named Dobby and Winky, were in such terrible condition, and everyone was disgusted at how someone could have neglected them so badly and then just abandon them that way, as if they didn’t matter at all.
“One is blue-colored and the other is cream-colored,” Sarah Bagley, an inspector with the RSPCA, said in a press release. “They are both female and thought to be around 4 months old. Neither of them had any hair on their body, which is a result of them having a severe case of the skin condition demodectic mange.”
The poor puppies were incredibly scared and confused when they first arrived at the shelter, but as the days wore on and they were finally shown love for probably the first time in their short lives, they began to warm up to everyone around them and transformed into the bouncy, playful puppies they were always meant to be.
“I’m so happy to say that they’re improving every day,” Gena Cameron, the branch administrator, said in a press release. “They were really nervous when they arrived and shaking. Now they are running around the animal center arena having loads of fun, playing with toys and barking at people. They’ve really come out of their shells.”
It all seemed like a happy ending — until everyone realized that the story wasn’t over quite yet.
Exactly a week after the puppies were abandoned, the same man wearing the same outfit walked into the same vet practice. This time, he walked up to the receptionist to ask for help, but when she went to fetch a nurse he quickly left, leaving a third bald puppy behind.
Shocked that this had happened again, the vet practice contacted the RSPCA and the tiny puppy, later named Albus, was reunited with his two siblings.
“It’s unbelievable that someone has dumped these puppies in this way not once but twice,” Bagley said. “It’s taken a long time for the mange to take hold like this; in fact, it’s thought these puppies have probably had it for most of their lives. I am very concerned about any other animals this person may have in their care.”
Little Albus was so thrilled to be back with his two siblings, and despite everything they’ve been through, all three puppies are doing extremely well now. It’s going to be quite a while before their fur grows back completely, as their mange was so severe, but they’re all improving a little bit more every day. Everyone at the RSPCA is so excited to watch them grow and heal, and can’t wait for the day when the puppies finally know what it’s like to be in a safe, loving forever home.
“Their skin was so red and angry-looking when they first got here, but their fur has already started growing back at the base of their tails,” Cameron said. “It’ll be some time until we’re able to rehome them but things are definitely going in the right direction.”
