Dog dumped in cold on Christmas Day near Strathaven
29 December
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Lucky to be alive: The lovely spaniel setter cross is now being cared for by staff at the SSPCA, who have nicknamed him Winter
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Winter woes: Abandonments at this time of year are sadly common and it could be that the old dog was cast out to make way for a new puppy
This beautiful old dog was left all alone on a remote country road on Christmas Day.
The Scottish SPCA were called out when the spaniel setter cross was discovered moments after a car was spotted stopping near the A71, between Strathaven and Muirkirk.
The dog, who is around 10 years old, is now being cared for at the charity’s Lanarkshire Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre, where staff have affectionately named him Winter.
Senior Inspector, Billy Linton, said that whoever abandoned Winter couldn't have cared whether he lived or died and it seemed that they simply let him out of the car and drove away.
He said: “Thankfully, someone in a nearby cottage saw the car stop and when they checked outside they found this poor dog in a great deal of distress.
"It was early evening, dark, cold and raining heavily when he was abandoned and he was bedraggled and extremely nervous when I arrived.
"He was very lucky someone found him and called us because he could just as easily have run off or been knocked down by a car and killed.
"Although he has a healed sore on his body and is slightly thin, he is in reasonable condition and has almost certainly been someone's pet.
"Unfortunately, he isn't microchipped and he didn't have a collar or a tag so we are appealing for information as we are keen to trace whoever was responsible for dumping him in such cruel circumstances.”
Inspector Linton added: "It is very sad but abandonments around this time of year are quite common and, even though it will be hard for most people to imagine, we can't rule out the possibility that Winter's owner decided to get rid of him to make way for a Christmas puppy given his age."
Abandoning an animal is an offence that carries stiff penalties including up to six months in prison, a £5,000 fine and a ban on keeping animals.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Scottish SPCA helpline on 03000 999 999, where all calls are in the strictest confidence.
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