Terry is an inspiration to us all
I’m always moved when animals who’ve been deliberately hurt by people are willing to trust us again. Terry was beaten unconscious by his former owner. Now, he couldn’t be more loved. Will you help us save more animals like him?
By RSPCA Inspector Laura Barber
A reunion to remember
I went to visit an old friend today, and it’s hard to describe how happy I felt when a lovely, wriggly bundle of whippet ran to greet me! It’s joyful days like these that keep me going, despite the awful things I see as an RSPCA inspector.
The first time I met Terry, he was just out of intensive care after life-saving treatment. He was in such a sad state, understandably quiet and withdrawn. Today he’s a different dog – happy, healthy and confident – and settled with his new owner Rachel, one of the PDSA vet nurses who first cared for him.
“He loves running around our garden and trips to the beach,” says Rachel. “And he’s formed an adorable bond with my four-year-old son Stanley. He’s never far from Stanley’s side, tail wagging.”
The first time I met Terry, he was just out of intensive care after life-saving treatment. He was in such a sad state, understandably quiet and withdrawn. Today he’s a different dog – happy, healthy and confident – and settled with his new owner Rachel, one of the PDSA vet nurses who first cared for him.
“He loves running around our garden and trips to the beach,” says Rachel. “And he’s formed an adorable bond with my four-year-old son Stanley. He’s never far from Stanley’s side, tail wagging.”
Terry suffered a shocking attack
Terry was rushed to our friends at the PDSA by a worried witness. His owner had beaten him unconscious – just because the puppy had urinated in the house. He must have been absolutely terrified.
Collapsed and unresponsive, his temperature was worryingly low. Vets placed him in an oxygen tent on a heat mat. They gave him pain relief and fluids via a drip until he came around. Thankfully, X-rays showed his skull wasn’t fractured, though he had bruising to his head and face. Some of his teeth were missing or broken. Blunt force trauma like that can often be fatal. I’m so grateful he was taken to the vet in time.
Collapsed and unresponsive, his temperature was worryingly low. Vets placed him in an oxygen tent on a heat mat. They gave him pain relief and fluids via a drip until he came around. Thankfully, X-rays showed his skull wasn’t fractured, though he had bruising to his head and face. Some of his teeth were missing or broken. Blunt force trauma like that can often be fatal. I’m so grateful he was taken to the vet in time.
The best outcome
Once stable, Terry moved to our RSPCA Hull and East Riding Branch. “He was still traumatised and overwhelmed when he came to us,” says Emily, one of his carers there. “But over time we showed him he was safe and there was nothing to be scared of anymore.”
After our investigation, his former owner was prosecuted and brought to justice. Now Terry can look forward to a bright future with Rachel and Stanley.
Could you help us rescue more animals, like Terry – and give them their own happy ending? Please donate today to help us cancel out cruelty.
After our investigation, his former owner was prosecuted and brought to justice. Now Terry can look forward to a bright future with Rachel and Stanley.
Could you help us rescue more animals, like Terry – and give them their own happy ending? Please donate today to help us cancel out cruelty.