Animal lover’s bid to get Bulgarian Bobi on the move!

Christine Meakin, volunteer assistant manager at Cat Rescue, with the wheelchair they want to give to abandoned dog Bobi (below)

Cat Rescue, in St Annes, hopes to fit three-year-old Bobi with a wheelchair to help him regain some mobility after he was found abandoned in Bulgaria.

The former street dog’s back legs are paralysed and he must wear nappies because of incontinence, but his plight has attracted the attention of pet lovers as he faces a battle for survival.

It has been claimed the RSPCA suggested he should be put down because he is too disabled, however, a petition set up by Action Aid for Animals has attracted 5,000 signatures demanding the terrier be spared.

Bobi the three-year-old terrier from Bulgaria who was rescued and brought to Britain.

After arriving in the UK on December 21, Bobi’s case has received support on the Fylde coast, and the St Annes charity hopes to fit him with the £800 device as soon as they get in touch with Action Aid for Animals.

Christine Ashton, from the South Moss Road centre, said: “The RSPCA have taken the opinion that his needs are so complex they are not prepared to cope with him but he looks like a healthy dog and we wanted to help.

“I feel this is a damn shame but if this dog can survive the chances of him walking again in the future are very slim.

“The wheelchair will be suitable for him and we will help fit it.

“Any competent vet should be able to train him but they need the time to do this.”

Bobi was initially housed with a family in the West Midlands, but when they struggled to cope with his needs, he was then rehoused with an Action Aid manager in Newport, South Wales.

The RSPCA has denied it had taken the decision that Bobi should be put down, saying it was on the recommendation of a vet.

A spokesman for the animal charity said: “As well as having disabled legs which were wrapped up in duct tape, he is incontinent, has pressure sores and possible internal injuries too.

“The first vet recommended that the kindest thing to do was to put him to sleep as he has no quality of life.

“Any decision on Bobi’s future will be made by vets and with Bobi’s best welfare in mind.”

Action Aid for Animals were unavailable for comment.

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