Stanley was found incredibly emaciated, and his rescuers weren’t sure he was going to make it. The whole RSPCA team worked to save the poor pooch’s life as they believed that, like any other dog, he deserved a second chance and a loving forever home.
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They were heartbroken to receive the news that the pup had to be put to sleep. Stanley was discovered to be a banned breed. The RSPCA insists the law failed him.
The emaciated dog
Stanley was found abandoned in an Aldi bag for life in September. The dog was extremely emaciated and the rescuers believed he was just ‘hours from death’. Even the seasoned vets were horrified by the ‘skin and bones’ pup’s condition.
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The charity had appealed for information in a bid to find the owner behind this extreme animal cruelty case but sadly, the culprit hadn’t been found.
Stanley needed life-saving treatment to survive. Just as the pup started doing better, devastating news arrived.
The banned breed
Four types of dogs are prohibited from being owned or kept in the UK. These include pit bull terriers, Fila Brasileiros, Dogo Argentinos and Japanese Tosas.
Sadly, Stanley was found to be a pitbull terrier type. The discovery meant he couldn’t be legally rehomed by the charity. Near two months after his rescue, the poor dog had to be put to sleep, leaving all involved in his care heartbroken.
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The RSPCA’s spokesperson commented:
No one could fail to have been moved by those awful photos of a starving pup left to die in a shopping bag. He endured so much - and he’s been let down firstly by his owners and secondly by a law which is completely unfair and is failing to protect the public. The law needs to change so more dogs - like Stanley - aren’t needlessly put to sleep because of how they look.
'Unfair' legislation
The RSPCA described the law that took Stanley’s life as 'outdated and ineffective'. The animal welfare organisation said they ‘would have loved nothing more than to have found him the loving home he deserved’.
The charity admitted they have done 'everything legally possible and available' to help the dog who ‘deserved a second chance’ but there was no way to save him.
They explained:
This decision is completely out of our hands and means he has effectively been sentenced to death by legislation which we believe to be outdated and ineffective.
The RSPCA opposes breed-specific legislation (BSL). They urge all animal lovers to contribute to the end of this cruel practice by contacting their MP through the charity’s campaign page.
Head to RSPCA's website to learn more about the charity and support their vital animal welfare and rescue work.
Sources used:
- Peterborough Telegraph: 'Pitbull found dumped in Aldi bag in Peterborough park put to sleep after RSPCA discover it is a banned breed'
