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Puppy Meg to lose leg

21/ 5/2008

MEG, the puppy beaten by four and five-year-old children on Darnhill, is to have her hind leg amputated next week.

The Staffordshire bull terrier endured emergency surgery and has been recuperating after the savage attack last month, in which she was repeatedly hit with sticks.

Despite love and care from staff at the RSPCA centre in Rochdale, the damage to the nerves in her right leg is so severe that, as feared, it will have to be removed to avoid causing further distress for the pup.

Manager of the RSPCA centre in Rochdale, Jean Spencer, has looked after Meg since she was brought in by an anonymous passer-by, who witnessed the attack.

Shirley Marchant, RSPCA co-ordinating branch manager, said: "Jean phoned the vets this week because Meg has unfortunately developed some quite bad sores on the leg, from where she drags it on the floor.

"They have examined her again and unfortunately the nerves are too damaged to save it. They have decided that the best thing to do is to amputate the leg to avoid causing further distress and problems."

The operation will be conducted on Tuesday at the Wendy Lane veterinary centre in Rochdale. Jean will continue to look after Meg while she recovers, after which she will go to a loving foster home.

Shirley said: "Meg has already adapted to the leg not working and it is likely that she will also soon adjust to having three legs. It is not uncommon and you often see animals such as cats and dogs who have had a leg amputated but are able to adapt. We hope now that Meg will be able to lead a happy life. She has had a lot of love and attention and we have done everything we can for her. We know from the great response we have had that Meg will go to a very happy home when she recovers from the operation."

At the last count as many as 50 people throughout the country were willing to offer Meg a home.