Broken and bruised dog enjoys new life by the sea

Olivia Ball originally planned to prepare Poppy for a new home but ended up applying for adoption

A chihuahua cross puppy that was found with multiple fractures to its leg and ribs after a series of attacks is now enjoying life with her new owner.

Poppy was rescued in 2023 following a report from a member of the public about a dog with untreated injuries at an address in Dorset.

After having urgent veterinary treatment, Poppy was adopted by an animal care assistant at Ashley Heath Animal Home, Olivia Ball, who said she "loves nothing more than walking on the beach" at her Hampshire home in Milford-on-Sea.

The RSPCA has released new figures that show a 33% increase in animal cruelty in the summer months of June, July and August.

Medical examinations found two fractures to Poppy's right front leg

Rescuers found the pet was unable to weight-bear on her back leg, had a large lump on her front leg and part of the top of her ear was missing.

Further medical examinations found historical injuries including two fractures to her right front leg and three broken ribs, which the vet concluded were non-accidental.

An investigation was launched in August 2023 by RSPCA inspector Patrick Bailey who said Poppy "must have been in horrendous pain every time she moved before we got to her".

A man admitted cruelty to animals in January last year and received a 26-week suspended sentence and a ban from keeping animals for ten years.

The RSPCA said it received 374 reports a day in the summer of 2024, a 33% increase on 2023.

In new figures released by the charity, beatings were also up 10% year on year with "a heartbreaking four beatings reported every hour" the hotline is open.

The RSPCA provided urgent veterinary treatment for the puppy

Ms Ball, 33, said she should have prepared Poppy for a new home but could not give her up so applied for adoption instead.

"Poppy came to me at a time when I had a lot going on in my life with some health issues and I had also just lost my cat after 23 years... she brought something into my life which until then I didn't know I was missing" she said.

Ms Ball said Poppy now "loves nothing more than walking on the beach".

"Her injuries don't hold her back and she has no lameness," she said.

"She is just the perfect dog and it breaks my heart to think what she went through as a pup."

After finding a new loving owner, Poppy now enjoys walking on the beach in Milford-on-Sea