October 24, 2014 7.12 pm This story is over 113 months old

Lincoln’s ‘most neglected dog’ found in Arboretum

Poor Reuben: The RSCPA are looking for information on one of the worst cases of dog neglect it has seen in Lincoln.
Reuben was found wandering in the Arboretum. Photo: Lincolnshire Rescue Kennels

RSPCA teams around Lincoln are appealing for help after a dog was found in a poor condition in the Arboretum park.

On October 22, the Lincoln City Dog Warden delivered a stray dog to Lincolnshire Rescue Kennels he found in the city park.

According to the rescue centre, the dog is “one of, if not the worst, cases of neglect” it has ever seen.

The male dog is a brindle Boxer crossbreed, and despite being severely underweight, was very friendly.

Lincolnshire Rescue Kennels have now named him Rueben, and he will remain in their care while he recovers from his ordeal.

Photo: Lincolnshire Rescue Kennels

Photo: Lincolnshire Rescue Kennels

A post on the Lincolnshire Rescue Kennels Facebook page said:

“When the van doors were opened, we were horrified, heartbroken and speechless at the shell of a dog that had been brought before us.

“This boy is emaciated. Every single inch of this boy’s skeleton protrudes and practically pierces his skin, his head is sunken in and he has no muscle.

“His claws are overgrown and he just about has enough strength to support himself. Yet despite his obvious suffering, he still manages to wag his tail.”

He will now spend the next few months on a strict and controlled diet of four very small meals a day to help him gain weight.

He has also been given a special soft bed to lay on due to his fragile body.

“The road to recovery for Reuben is going to be long and slow, his body has been through a lot and so we must work with it slowly to get him back up to full health.

“Tonight, for the first time in a very long time, Reuben has a belly full of food and will be snoozing away on a warm bed.”

The kennels and RSPCA are now appealing for information about the dog.

If you know the dog, or the dog’s owners, you can leave information anonymously with Lincolnshire Rescue Kennels on 01522 730502.