Dog tied to tree and abandoned by Bromsgrove's Avoncroft Museum is rescued - The Bromsgrove Standard

Dog tied to tree and abandoned by Bromsgrove's Avoncroft Museum is rescued

Bromsgrove Editorial 7th Apr, 2022 Updated: 7th Apr, 2022   0

RSPCA officers are trying to track down the person who abandoned a dog, leaving him tied up to a tree.

The dog, who has been named Defford by rescuers, was found at around 4pm on Sunday on a secluded patch of land near Avoncroft Museum Of Historic Buildings in Redditch Road, Stoke Heath.

Kind-hearted members of the museum’s team spotted the dog and called police after becoming concerned he had been intentionally abandoned.




Defford – named after the police officer who helped him to safety – is thought to be a young German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois cross and is around a year old.

RSPCA Inspector Nicola Johnson, who is investigating for the animal welfare charity, said: “We are very grateful to everyone who helped Defford.


“He is currently in RSPCA care and doing well.

“It really upsets me to think his owner had decided to just dump him like rubbish and simply walk away from their terrified pet.

“He must have been very confused and frightened to be tied up and abandoned like this.

“He has deformed rear legs and a very distinct walk so should be easily identifiable to anyone who has seen him before.

Click here to see a video of Defford.

“He is such a sweet and gentle-natured dog. It’s heartbreaking to think someone has abandoned him because of his legs.

“Unfortunately, dogs are often bred with their looks in mind and not their health and welfare, and in Defford’s case, his deformities may well be a result of poor breeding.”

Defford is microchipped but the details relate to the previous owner who sold the dog and the new owners failed to update the data.

Nicola urged anyone with any information on Defford and how he came to be abandoned to call the RSPCA appeal line on 0300 123 8018.

Zoe Willems, director of Avoncroft Museum, said: “We found him at the far end of the picnic field which is not part of the pay-for-entry site, and is not in regular use, only for special events and when reenactors camp for a special event like this weekend’s International Living History Festival.

“That’s the only reason we were there at the time – we wouldn’t otherwise go up to that part of the site, even on a weekly basis.

“Defford was found tucked into the woodland edge of the field, so not immediately visible – had he not barked when we got closer we wouldn’t have known he was there.

“There was no food and water and we couldn’t see much mess so don’t think he was there that long, but he had clearly trodden down a circle through pacing when the lead allowed him to.

“However, he’d been there long enough to get the lead very twisted on itself and as you can see from pictures, he ended up unable to lie down or move very much at all.

“We fetched water and treats and made friends with him as he was understandably very wary and nervous. We then sat with him and walked him round the field – he is clearly a lovely dog, and has been looked after and loved – very good natured and actually very trusting once we’d made friends.”

Advertising

Advertise with the Bromsgrove Standard to reach your audience

Printing

We can provide all of your printing needs at competitive rates

Business Directory

From plumbers, to restaurants, we can provide you with all the info you need

Reader Travel

Check out all of the latest reader travel offers to get your hands on some free gifts