Emaciated dog ‘too thin to walk’ dies days after RSPCA intervenes

An investigation is being held into the overnight death of a dog which was taken by the RSPCA because it was too thin to walk properly. WARNING: Graphic pictures.

A thin dog in the backyard at a Marsden address has died days after the RSPCA took it away.

AN emaciated dog, surrendered to the RSPCA last week, has died.

The RSPCA said the dog, a rottweiler-cross-kelpie, died last night after it was taken from a Marsden address on Thursday.

It is still not known whether the RSPCA Inspectorate will press charges under the Animal Care and Protection Act.

DOG TOO THIN TO WALK

WHERE THE STARS WENT TO SCHOOL

Neighbours called the RSPCA to the Browns Plains Rd address on Thursday after the sick dog was seen in the back yard and reported that it was too thin to walk.

Calls had been made to the RSPCA about the dog in April.

An RSPCA spokesman said the owners surrendered the dog which was then taken back to Wacol headquarters and was assessed by a vet.

An RSPCA inspector at the address last week.

The owners had also followed an RSPCA welfare direction and had previously taken the dog to a vet for assessment before the RSPCA took it.

The RSPCA said its investigation started as soon as the organisation’s inspectors got the call from neighbours.

“Just because the dog was not seized does not mean we were not working to protect him,” a spokesman said.

“We were following the steps lawfully open to us and ensured veterinary care was provided for the dog immediately, and as soon as it was appropriate and lawfully permissible, we seized the dog.

“With respect to the timing, we are not at liberty to discuss when all of these things took place due to privacy laws. But our response to this issue was timely and appropriate.

“The dog’s issues were complicated and sadly even our veterinary team was unable to help him. This is heartbreaking for all of us here at RSPCA.”