Rescuers save 'thinnest dog ever' who ate glass and old batteries to survive

Struggling to stand or even lift his head, these shocking pictures show the ‘thinnest dog seen alive’ before he was saved by RSPCA inspectors.

The emaciated canine had been forced to eat glass and old batteries before he was spotted by rescuers in Accrington, Lancashire.

The dog, named Eric by vetinary staff, also had overgrown nails and was ‘completely covered in urine’ when he was found on March 2.

Eric is now on the road to recovery thanks to his rescuers and an investigation has been launched to trace his owners.

RSPCA inspector Nina Small said: “As well as being the thinnest dog I’ve ever seen alive, he had very overgrown nails and was absolutely covered in urine.

“His faeces had pieces of glass and metal as big as a 50 pence piece in it, and bits of batteries.

“I believe poor Eric has been confined somewhere out of sight, eating whatever he’s been able to get in his mouth, perhaps in a garage or a shed.”

Eric is described as an unneutered male bull breed type and is white with dark brown patches.

Rescuers wrapped him in metallic thermal blankets to conserve his heat.

Eric was hospitalised for a week and continues to be on a recovery diet.

Inspector Small said Eric has put on a kilo in weight since he was rescued.

She said: “He’s now able to stand and can take a few steps and it’s looking like he’s turned a corner, but he still has a long way to go.

“He’s just gone to a foster home where he is continuing to get the TLC he needs to hopefully continue to recover.”

She added: “He was in the yard of an empty council house on Ribblesdale Avenue, near to the cricket club and playing fields.

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“The finder was walking his daughter back from a local park when he saw him and went back to get him.

“I have made enquiries locally, but no one recognises him.

“He isn’t microchipped – as is required by law – and has not been reported as a stray to the dog warden, so at the moment there is no way of tracing his owner.”