RSPCA officers who found an emaciated dog in woodland say the animal could have been blinded on purpose.
The ‘extremely underweight’ Akita was found with pus coming from his eyes, a matted coat and sores all over his body.
Officers who rescued the dog - nicknamed Peter - initially believed that he couldn’t open his eyes because of an infection.
However vets now think the animal may have suffered a ‘blunt trauma to the head’, either due to a deliberate attack or a road traffic collision.
They are now keen to speak to Peter’s owner in the hope of finding out how he came to collapse in woodland off Kent Street, in Wigan, on Thursday afternoon.
Inspector Helen Smith, who found the dog after a call from a member of the public, said: “They said he’d been staggering around but was now laid in the same spot and was extremely underweight.
“The poor dog had pus coming from his eyes and was scratching at his face so was clearly in some discomfort.
“He was very skinny, you could see his ribs. His breathing was also shallow and his coat was matted.
“The caller reported that he kept trying to stand up but would collapse back onto the ground.”
Inspector Smith rushed the fawn-coloured Akita to the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital.
“He’s very thin and has sores all over his body. He was dehydrated and lethargic when he first arrived,” she added.
“Initially we believe he was blinded in both eyes and couldn’t open his eyes due to a nasty infection. But vets believe he may have had a blunt trauma to the head - either the result of a deliberate attack or a road traffic collision - which is causing the swelling to his eyes.”
Vets treating Peter will carry out X-rays and investigate his condition further. He will continue to receive veterinary treatment while the investigation is ongoing.
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Inspector Smith will carry out enquiries in the local area but is also appealing to the public for help in tracing his owner.
She said: “He may have been hit by a car before running off into the woods or he may have been abandoned there so I’m really keen to track down his owner and find out more about him.
“Anyone with any information that could help us should contact our appeal line on 0300 123 8018 and leave me a message.”
Peter, who wasn’t microchipped, is believed to be around seven-years-old.
To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care please visit the website .
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