Heartbreaking pictures showing ‘barely alive’ dog named Chicko who was left so emaciated all his bones were visible are released by RSPCA in bid to track down owner – as vets have to put down poor animal to end his suffering 

• WARNING – DISTRESSING CONTENT: Crossbreed Chicko was starved by owner
• The 18-month-old was the ‘thinnest’ dog an RSPCA inspector ever came across

The RSPCA is appealing for information after a ‘barely alive’ dog so emaciated all its bones were visible was handed into a pet hospital.

Chicko, an 18-month-old crossbreed, had bald, bleeding ears, a swollen and bruised back leg, a necrotic infection in his tail and a number of pressure sores.

He was in a collapsed state when he was taken to the PDSA’s Montague-Panton pet hospital in Manchester on October 6 by a member of the public.

It is believed he’d been starved and one RSPCA inspector said she’d never seen a dog so thin still be alive.

But tragically, vets had to put him to sleep to prevent further suffering, such was the terrible condition he was in.

He was microchipped but the owner’s details hadn’t been registered.

Now the charity is hoping to trace Chicko’s owner.

Chicko, an 18-month-old crossbreed, was so emaciated he had collapsed when members of the public brought him into the PDSA’s Montague-Panton pet hospital in Manchester on October 6

Chicko had bald, bleeding ears, a swollen and bruised back leg, a necrotic infection in his tail and a number of pressure sores.

Sadly, Chicko’s grave condition meant vets had no choice but to put him down. The RSPCA have asked for the public’s help in tracing the owner

RSPCA inspector Deborah Beats said: ‘Every bone in Chicko’s body was visible and it’s hard to believe a dog who looked like this could have still been alive.

‘Everyone involved in this case has been left extremely upset by it and we’re determined to find out how and why this young dog got into such an appalling state.

‘We’ve managed to progress several lines of enquiry but we need the public to help us too.

‘We’re making an urgent appeal to anyone who recognises Chicko or has information about his background or who may have owned him, to come forward.’

His grave condition meant vets staff had no other option but to put him to sleep to prevent further suffering.

A post mortem report revealed no underlying reasons for his emaciated condition and it’s believed he had been starved, the RSPCA said.

The charity believes Chicko was owned by a man who lives in the Greater Manchester area, they have asked for the public’s help in tracing the owner.

Anyone who can help is urged to contact the RSPCA’s appeals line on 0300 123 8018 quoting reference number 01165392.

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