'We couldn't leave him': Neighbours rally together to save abandoned dog Victor from the brink of death
Neighbours have saved a life
Neighbours have rallied together to save an abandoned dog’s life after being confined to a ‘hot box’.
The community in Victor Road, Copnor, have united after a pocket bully, which was constantly spotted confined to a small courtyard at a block of flats in the street, captured their hearts.
Over the past few weeks, the three-year-old dog was frequently seen in the outside space despite the extreme heat, raising concern amongst neighbours.
Kelly Newell, who lives in the residential road, told The News how the RSPCA was called out to assess his welfare and although it was noted he had an ear infection, he was left at the property.
She said: “We all noticed him sitting by the gate but then it seemed he was always sitting there and people started getting concerned because it has been extremely hot. One of the neighbours started feeding him because he started deteriorating because he was stuck in a hot box.”
At first, neighbours did not know who owned the dog, who has now been affectionately named Victor. On Sunday, August 9, Victor’s condition deteriorated rapidly as he struggled to cope with the extreme heat, resulting in the residents to take action.
Kelly continued: “Everyone was really scared for him because he was extremely hot and his breathing had slowed. If we hadn’t intervened, the worst would have happened. He had access to food and water but we knew what would happen if we left him - our only issue was getting him out of the courtyard because it was fenced off.”
A resident in the flats gave the group of neighbours access to the outdoor space where they were able to tend to Victor.
“We eventually got hold of the people looking after him. Friends had left him with them for a couple of days and they hadn’t come back. They didn’t want a dog and didn’t know what to do with him”, Kelly continued.
Following a conversation, the group was given permission to take Victor into their care, with Kelly keeping him at her house while her neighbour, Stephen Harrison, looked after him during the day.
The 47-year-old added: “We have all helped. This is a massive group effort - we’ve all been part of this and we’ve been raising money which will go a long way.
“We have a nice community but this has brought us close together.”
Although the group spent the past month becoming attached to Victor, none of them were able to provide a home for him on a full-time basis, prompting them to get the charity - Dogs Walk This Way - involved. The rescue, which has played a vital role in getting a vet to perform surgery on Victor’s ear, has also been able to find him a permanent forever home.
Kelly continued: “We are so grateful for them because without them he wouldn’t be able to have the treatment and find a new home. He is so lovely and it’s so amazing that we have all banded together and there has been a wonderful outcome.”