Dog found looking like 'walking skeleton' after being dumped taken in by Good Samaritan

An abandoned dog who was so emaciated he looked like a “walking skeleton” has been taken in by a Good Samaritan.

Martin Yates found the brindle Mastiff-type dog, which he named Big Mac, close to the A41 on Harriot’s Hayes Lane, Albrighton, near Wolverhampton, on 25 February.

He spotted the poor animal as he drove to work, quickly noticing he was severely underweight and also struggling to walk.

Mr Yates picked the dog up and took him to the home he shares with his wife Claire in Codsall Wood, Wolverhampton.

Read more: Abandoned dog who was set on fire and left for dead makes miraculous recovery

They then arranged for him to have emergency veterinary treatment as he was found to weigh just 20kg, half of what he should be.

An x-ray also revealed the dog had a fracture in three places on his right leg and his hip was also displaced.

Mrs Yates said: “There was a real fear that he might not survive.

“He was given painkillers and the vet said we could take him home and feed him small meals to build him up for a few days to get him strong enough for two operations.

“This week he has undergone an operation on his back leg, which was fractured in three places, and also on his hip which was displaced.

“He seems to be recovering well and eating well too.”

Read more: Missing cat found 11 years after escaping from owner's car

The couple will now look after the dog permanently and he will live with their two border collies called Bob, 14, and Alfie, 17 months, along with their daughter Zoe, 12.

They have set up a Facebook fund-raising page to help pay for hefty vet bills for Big Mac and have already attracted £7,000 in donations.

Mrs Yates added: “The orthopaedic vet told us he would need an operation on his leg and then found he needed another on his hip.

“It is also likely he will need hydrotherapy so all the generous donations will help us get Big Mac back on his feet.”

She said he has already become part of the clan, loving plenty of food and cuddles from his new family.

The RSPCA has launched an investigation and they believe it is connected to a similar case of another emaciated dog found abandoned in the same place a month previous.

Dawn Burrell from the animal charity is appealing for anyone who knows the owner of Big Mac, who was not microchipped, to get in touch.

The fund-raising page for Big Mac’s treatment can be found here.

Related: RSPCA Investigating After Dog Sitter Is Filmed Allegedly Beating Pets