Dog stuck in muddy ditch near Wickford rescued by RSPCA (From Southend Standard)

Pedigree dog stuck in muddy ditch off London Road between Rawreth and Shotgate

10:00am Wednesday 31st October 2012 in Echo News By Emma Thomas

A HUGE pedigree dog was found stranded in deep mud near a main road.

The 56kg Dogue De Bordeaux was discovered in a ditch by council workers cutting grass next to the Shotgate roundabout between Rawreth and Wickford at 2pm on Friday, October 26.

Members of the Essex South and Southend branch of the RSPCA were called out to rescue the dog - which can be sold for up to £1,500.

Gill Lewis, RSPCA volunteer, said: “The poor boy was stuck up to his tummy in thick mud, and couldn’t move, he was cold and very confused. We managed to get him out of the ditch and bring him back to the kennels where we warmed him up and cleaned him off. We suspect he may have escaped from a garden and been spooked by the cars on London Road and ended up in the ditch."

The elderly dog had a collar on but no tag or microchip.

The owners have not yet come forward to claim him from the RSPCA Lost and Found Coordinator, local vets or the police – all of whom have been informed - leading to fears he could have been abandoned.

Anyone who knows the owners of the dog should contact Sue Staples, RPSCA Lost and Found Coordinator, on 07724 075473.