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Cocker spaniel found in Hartlip who was ‘left to suffer’ finally on the road to recovery

A cocker spaniel, left with extensive injuries after it is believed he was thrown from a moving vehicle, is on the mend.

Beethoven, who is now being looked after by Kelly and Billy Bleach at KareBear Kennels in Lidsing, was found in The Street, Hartlip, near Sittingbourne, on May 21.

Beethoven with a new friend. Picture: KareBear Kennels
Beethoven with a new friend. Picture: KareBear Kennels

He was unable to walk or bear any weight on three of his legs.

At the time, Swale council’s dog warden, Mel Herbert, said: “The vets have said the injuries are comparable to being hit by, or being thrown out of, a moving vehicle.

“The X-rays have left us speechless. He’s got spinal damage, two fractures to his tibia and many other injuries which have been left to heal without treatment.”

However, almost three weeks on, the loving pup has had £5,000 worth of surgery on his right leg to repair the damage that was left to heal on its own.

In a Facebook post on Beethoven’s own special page, Kelly and Billy said: “Both of Beethoven’s back legs, the tibias, have been broken in the past and left.

Beethoven's X-ray. Picture: KareBear Kennels
Beethoven's X-ray. Picture: KareBear Kennels

“They have healed and the vet said not perfectly, but luckily not badly enough to have to re-break and re-align. But he will get arthritis in the future.

“However, the specialist has decided that the right front leg needs to be operated on and the left leg they have decided to leave for now as it has started to ossify in a way they feel doesn’t need treatment right now.”

Since his surgery Beethoven has been given the all clear from the vets, who described his wound as ‘doing amazing’.

So far, more than £2,500 has been raised for Beethoven, allowing Kelly and Billy to continue their care and his trips to a specialist.

In a Facebook post they said: “He’s such an amazing lovely boy. Thank you so much for all your help and support.”

Beethoven the rescued spaniel. Picture: KareBear Kennels
Beethoven the rescued spaniel. Picture: KareBear Kennels

After being rescued by Swale’s dog warden, Beethoven was able to walk again after just a few days with Billy and Kelly Bleach.

A spokesman for Swale council said: “Beethoven is doing really well and the surgery was a success. He’s currently on bed rest and restricted movement to ensure the leg heals as well as possible.

“They won’t be doing surgery on his other front leg, as it has already calcified and re-breaking it to re-set it is not really in his best interest and he’ll still have a good quality of life.

“Kelly and Billy at KareBear have done an amazing job with his care, and they post regular updates on his Facebook page.”

Swale council’s dog warden, Mel Herbert, added: “The whole situation is really horrible.

Beethoven on his way to the vets. Picture: KareBear Kennels
Beethoven on his way to the vets. Picture: KareBear Kennels

"He must have been in so much pain but he’s dealt with it for so long that he’s become numb to it.

“There is no way he isn’t in pain.

“But despite all that he is a very nice dog. He was so lovely, no malice whatsoever – he deserves the help to get better.”

If you have information on his original owner, contact the council on 01795 417850.

To help Beethoven you can send PayPal donations to kelly@karebearkennels.co.uk.

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