A DOG that was abandoned outside Wood Green Animal Shelter in Godmanchester was one of the worst cases of neglect the charity has ever seen.

Workers at the charity have named the Old English Sheepdog Floyd.

The dog was hauled out of a dark coloured vehicle and tied up with a piece of string outside the shelter at 1.30am on Saturday.

Floyd, who is about 10 years old and was found by a member of the security team, had such long hair that he struggled to see, hear or go to the toilet, the charity said. His claws were so long that the dog was in severe pain when he walked.

The dog has already been given urgent care by vets and nurses to remove the excessive hair, clip his two-inch long claws and remove cysts and grass seeds from his paws and ears in a two-hour operation. Floyd will also need to undergo dental, ear, eye and skin treatment, the charity said. It is also thought that he was so poorly exercised that he will need to build up the muscles in his back legs and learn to walk normally again.

Wendy Kruger, head of the dog section, said: “We were all extremely shocked and distressed at Floyd’s condition. It is the worst case of animal neglect the charity has seen. Our main priority was to make him as comfortable as possible while we tried to treat his many ailments.”

She added: “To allow an animal to reach this state of neglect is criminal and would warrant prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act.”

INFORMATION: Anyone with details about Floyd’s owners is asked to call the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.