A chicken thought to have been eaten alive was found in the stomach of a dog that a Wickford kennel owner said was the most neglected animal he has seen.

The German shepherd was knocked down by a car on Friday in Calcutta Road, Tilbury.

The bitch had a badly swollen stomach and was rushed to vets in Cherrydown West, Basildon.

X-rays revealed a cloudy picture that vets felt was a result of mass internal bleeding. They operated and could not believe what they found.

Michael Knight, a co-owner of Wickford's Gemini kennels where the dog is now recovering, said: "This animal is the most neglected I have ever come across.

"Vets found a whole chicken carcass in her guts - it was being digested like a snake would digest a mouse.

"Amazingly that was not all that was inside the poor thing. Leather shoes, glass, jewellery, bits of wire and plastic bags were also found."

Mr Knight and his colleagues have named the dog Tia who will remain in the kennels until a kind owner comes forward. If you're that owner call Michael on 01268 725825.

Heartbreak hound - Tia recovers.

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