A DOG described as “painfully skinny” found abandoned huddled behind a bush is on the road to recovery and looking for a new home. 

Dogue de Bordeaux cross Roxy, three, was found huddled under a hedge on a driveway in Boxted, in April, by a resident.

Roxy was taken to the vets who alerted the RSPCA as she was so emaciated they were concerned she’d been neglected for some time.

Roxy weighed 29kg (64lb), whereas a healthy female Dogue de Bordeaux should weigh up to 25kg (55lb) more than that.

RSPCA inspector Nicky Thorne, who investigated Roxy’s case, said: “Poor Roxy was incredibly frightened when members of the public found her, and she was cowering behind a bush; it looked like she’d given up.

“When I first saw her I was shocked at how painfully thin she was. She was skin and bone; you could see all of her ribs.”

Roxy was taken in by the team at the National Animal Welfare Trust, in Clacton, and she’s now looking for a loving new home. 

Discovery - Roxy was discovered curled up on a driveway behind a bush in BoxtedDiscovery - Roxy was discovered curled up on a driveway behind a bush in Boxted (Image: RSPCA)

Nicky added: “Roxy has made a wonderful transformation; she looks like a different dog now.”

Stacey Sheppard, from National Animal Welfare Trust Essex, said: “We’ve been feeding Roxy a good diet and giving her lots and lots of cuddles, and she’s now feeling a lot better. She’s come so far and is feeling a lot better, but she still has further to go. 

“Now Roxy is healthier and happier, we’d really like to find her a lovely new home. She’s a big, beautiful girl who loves snuggles and enjoys snoozing on the sofa.

“We’ve been introducing exercise slowly and gradually building up her strength and stamina, but she’ll definitely enjoy going on walks in her new home.

"She’s also started to show us her playful side and it turns out she really loves her toys.”

Sad - Roxy was described as “starving and shockingly thin”Sad - Roxy was described as “starving and shockingly thin” (Image: RPSCA)

The team taking care of Roxy said she enjoys the company of other dogs so may be able to live with another dog, but would like a home without young children. 

Roxy struggles being left home alone so she’ll need a family who can spend time helping her to settle in and build her confidence before teaching her that it’s okay to be home alone.

Stacey added: “Life for Roxy may be full of firsts and she'll need a patient owner who can guide her paws along the way. Things are on the up for her now and we can’t wait for her to find her forever home.”

The RSPCA followed up a number of lines of enquiries but officers weren’t able to find the person responsible for neglecting Roxy.

Anyone with any information can call the RSPCA’s appeal line on 0300 123 8018.

To find out more about adopting Roxy from National Animal Welfare Trust, contact the team on clacton@nawt.org.uk.

The team would like to find her a foster home initially, with a view to adoption.