A CAGED and filthy dog was kept in "hellish" conditions in a Hampshire property.

Last year, the dog was found matted and dirty, living "disgusting" conditions along with 21 other dogs in the same state.

She was left in a small cage surrounded by rubbish and her own filth and was found crying for help by RSPCA teams.

The dog and her peers were rescued from a home on the border of Hampshire and Wiltshire by RSPCA officers in March after complaints to the charity about the dogs and the conditions they were living in.

Now named Hobbit, the a two-year-old Eurasian dog has bright eyes and a glossy coat that has won her first prize in a dog competition.

Daily Echo:

RSPCA inspector Miranda Albison, who led the investigation, said: “The dogs were living in makeshift kennels and runs in the garden and inside the house.

“There were lots of dogs crammed into rooms and pens, they were all absolutely filthy with matted coats.

“The conditions were absolutely hellish. I can’t begin to describe how awful the smell was.”

All of the 22 dogs were seized and three of them - including Hobbit - were sent to Bath Cats and Dogs Home.

Head of fundraising and communications, Rachel Jones, said: “When Hobbit arrived she was matted, covered in faeces and underweight with a body score of just two out of five.

“We tried to brush and clip her coat but, on our first attempt she got so stressed that we have to stop.

“We eventually had to sedate her and shave a lot of her coat as it was in such a terrible state.”

 

Staff spent three months rehabilitating Hobbit and teaching her to trust people again.

In June, Anna and Mark Abram from Chippenham, Wiltshire, rehomed her.

Anna said: “Hobbit is so adorable and loving, she has learned so much in the few months we have had her.

“She has lots of doggy and human friends now, everywhere we go people want to take pictures and ask about her!

“During the holidays we went out for lots of day trips, she loves the beach and will go paddling in the water. We also took her to a festival where there was a dog competition - and she won first prize!”