Hope was brought into the RSPCA and was too weak to walk or eat.

THE RSPCA is appealing for information after an abandoned animal which vets are calling ‘the thinnest dog ever seen alive’ was brought into their care.

Hope was brought into the RSPCA and was too weak to walk or eat.

The female Staffordshire cross, thought to be one or two years old, was found too weak and withered to walk or eat.

She was brought into the administration office in Locking Road by a man who said he had found her in a cardboard box.

The man who only gave his first name – Ben – said he found the dog in a lay-by near a burger van at the side of the A370 near Hewish on May 16.

He refused to leave his contact details and said he had seen the dog and taken it straight to the RSPCA branch, where it was then rushed to Clarendon Vets, in Clarendon Road, Weston.

Nurses then took it in turns to look after the dog, named Hope, throughout the night before being moved on to the practice Bridge Vets, in Worston Road, Highbridge.

After several days of being drip fed Hope is now able to hold up her head and is slowly starting to eat and drink for herself.

Vet Anna Parry who is caring for the dog at Bridge Veterinary Practice, said: “I spent eight years working at an RSPCA clinic in the past so I am no stranger to abused and neglected animal but this is the thinnest dog I have ever seen still alive.

“She weighs in at just 8k and a healthy weight for her would be more like 16.

“When she first arrived we had to wrap her in blankets and bubble wrap just to keep her warm as she could not maintain her temperate and although she is now off the drip and much more responsive she still has a long way to go.”

RSPCA inspector, John Norman, who will be investigating, said: “This poor creature was found in a terrible state, and it would seem that whoever allowed her to get like this simply tried to get rid of the problem by abandoning her as though she was rubbish.”

Anyone with information about this dog is urged to contact the RSPCA cruelty and information line on 0300 1234999 and leave a message for inspector Norman.

When Hope is well enough, she will be transferred to the RSPCA North Somerset Branch Brent Knoll Animal Centre.