Emaciated dog found curled up on driveway

An investigation has now been launched after three-year-old Roxy was found in Boxted

A "painfully skinny" dog has been taken in by the RSPCA after it was found curled up on a driveway behind a bush.

The three-year-old Dogue de Bordeaux cross called Roxy, was discovered in Boxted, Essex, on 21 April.

An investigation has been launched by the RSPCA to discover how the dog came to weigh 29kg (64lb).

Nicky Thorne, an inspector at the RSCPA, said: "I suspect she’s been seriously neglected."

Roxy was found by Emma Fowler, who took the dog to a veterinary surgery who alerted the RSPCA as the animal was so emaciated that they were concerned she had been neglected for some time.

Ms Fowler said: "I was shocked to see Roxy curled up on our drive but I’m glad she found a sunny spot to await rescue.

"She looked starving and shockingly thin, but she was so sweet once she realised we were friends and we were there to help her. She was grateful for the attention and it was such a relief to get her to safety."

Roxy was about 25kg (55lb) less than what a healthy female Dogue de Bordeaux should weigh.

'Want answers'

The RSPCA has now launched an investigation and has urged people to get in contact if they have any information.

She said: "Roxy is painfully skinny... It’s clearly taken a significant amount of time for her to get into this state so I suspect she’s been seriously neglected."

Roxy was microchipped to a property in Halstead, Essex, however previous owners said she was rehomed in September 2023.

“I’d like to hear from anyone who might recognise Roxy from the local areas of Halstead and Boxted, or anyone who knows someone who previously owned a dog that looks like Roxy.

“She’s such a sweet and friendly dog, we’ve all completely fallen in love with her, and I want to get some answers about what’s happened to her.”