Two neglected dogs found dumped at the side of a Macclesfield country road on one of the hottest days of the year are on the path to recovery in RSPCA care.

Unfortunately, the hardship did not end when they were picked up, after one needed a leg amputation. But is now recovering well.

The two Chinese crested-type dogs, believed to be mum and son, were found on July 19 by a couple driving along a country lane near Macclesfield, Cheshire. 

They were both underweight, with skin conditions and flea infestations. The mum also had a fractured leg and a severely injured eye.

The two-related dogs were abandoned during the July heatwave, and were lucky to be found alive. (Image - RSPCA Macclesfield)

The kind-hearted couple who found the terrified pets rushed the dogs to a nearby vets where they were given urgent veterinary attention in Macclesfield.

RSPCA inspector Caren Goodman-James then took the dogs into the charity's care and they have since flourished thanks to the dedicated volunteers at the RSPCA Macclesfield, South East Cheshire and Buxton Branch, who named them Dottie and Frankie.

Poor Dottie had to have her front leg amputated as she was suffering from an old fracture which had been left untreated.

She also had a severe case of dry eye - which meant the eye had disintegrated. 

The ages of the two dogs are unknown, but they are in safe hands now. (Image - RSPCA Macclesfield)

But the playful pooch is now happily running around with Frankie in foster care where they will remain until they are ready to be rehomed.

You can watch a video of them playing at the top of this article. Just click the red 'play' button.

Carmen Cole, from the RSPCA Macclesfield, South East Cheshire and Buxton Branch, said: "They were in a pretty horrific state when they were found and Dottie (pictured right when found and below now) needed her leg amputated as a matter of urgency.

"Her eye was so bad it had disintegrated in the socket and this needed washing out.

The temperatures were in the high 30s, but ground temperatures were likely even higher where the dogs were found. (Image - RSPCA Macclesfield)

"Both dogs had terrible coats which needed treating. They had flea infestations and were also very underweight.

"But they have been returned to good health in our care and are now having fun in a foster home where they will stay until they are ready to go to a loving home together.

"Dottie may only have three legs now but she isn't letting that get in the way of anything and enjoys being playful and running round the garden with Frankie."

The branch, which is run as a separate charity to the RSPCA, spent £1,200 treating Dottie and still need more funds to keep up their ongoing treatment. They're appealing for donations from the public to help them continue treating these pets as well as others in their care - and supporters can help by donating online.

Carmen added that donations of food for rabbits, cats and kittens would also be gratefully received.

Inspector Goodman-James, who rescued the dogs said: "I am so pleased to see they are doing so well - I was worried Dottie in particular might not make it as she was so neglected.

"The person who dumped these poor dogs on one of the hottest days of the year was particularly callous. They were in the middle of nowhere and could have suffered a lingering death if they had not been found.

"The couple who picked them up are not sure of the exact location as they were not from the area but said the lane was surrounded by fields and had no houses nearby.

"We know it was 10 minutes north from the vets in Macclesfield where they took the pets for treatment. 

"Sadly we are dealing with more and more cases like this as the cost of living crisis begins to take hold.

"That's why we have launched our Cancel Out Cruelty summer campaign to raise funds to help our rescue teams out on the frontline continue to save more animals like Dottie and Frankie."

The RSPCA is incredibly concerned about the number of abandoned animals it is being called out to and fears the cost of living crisis could be leading owners to make difficult decisions. 

The RSPCA receives around 90,000 calls to its cruelty line every month and actively investigates 6,000 reports of deliberate animal cruelty. (Image - RSPCA Macclesfield)

The charity's groundbreaking report - the Animal Kindness Index* - found 68% were concerned that the cost of caring for pets was increasing, while 19% were worried about how they would afford to feed their pets.

To help stamp out animal cruelty in Macclesfield, you can donate to RSPCA Macclesfield by clicking here.

If you find an animal in distress in Macclesfield, please click here to find out how to help.

You can read our previous article on the poorly pets by clicking here.

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