Animals in Moray: Collie left buried alive finds new home
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The Scottish SPCA has rehabilitated and rehomed a dog which was on the brink of death after he was buried alive in the Highlands.
After weeks of veterinary care and loving treatment, Scotland’s animal welfare charity has now found a loving home for Jake the border collie.
Jake had been left for dead under a pile of rocks at an undisclosed location in the region.
The charity said it was one of the worst cases of animal cruelty it had ever encountered.
Thankfully, passing hill walkers heard Jake's cries and found him.
SPCA Inspector Yvonne Sloss said: "When I first saw Jake I felt shock, sadness and disbelief that someone had deliberately done this to him.
"His head was so swollen and he was in a terrible way.
"We didn’t think he would make it.
"He was in a comatose state when we arrived at the vet where he received emergency treatment.
"Miraculously, Jake survived the night.
"It was only when he was transferred to our Glasgow vet clinic that we found out how bad it actually was.
"Poor Jake was in need of a lot of care to help him recover both mentally and physically."
Jake had multiple skull and jaw fractures and had lost the sight in one eye.
After undergoing numerous operations to remove both the damaged eye and some broken teeth, Jake began to very slowly improve.
After almost six weeks of intensive treatment, Jake was fostered by Scottish SPCA inspector Mark Greener.
Mark said: "When Jake came home with me, he was still incredibly fragile.
"His fractures hadn’t completely healed and he was unable to close his jaw.
"Jake required specialist care and it took time for him to come round and really heal.
"It also took him a while to trust me.
"But now that he does, we're bonded forever.
"We are always outside and Jake loves to play.
"I’m sure his experience still stays with him and always will.
"But now he’s with me, we are doing all we can to make it a distant memory.
"I really couldn’t imagine life without him now.
"I’m so thankful to the passers-by who found Jake.
"But it’s also thanks to members of the public and Scottish SPCA supporters that Jake was able to be rescued and rehabilitated.
The Scottish SPCA receives no government funding and is entirely reliant on public donations.
To find out more visit www.scottishspca.org/jake.
