An abandoned dog has undergone emergency surgery to save its ear.

Val Phillips, who is looking after the German Shepherd, said: "She was in a terrible state. This is neglect in the first degree and sheer cruelty."

Beware distressing photo below

The eight-year-old Alsatian, known as Keira, was picked up by Swale council's dog warden Mel Herbert in Lower Road, Teynham near Sittingbourne on Monday .

The dog had matted hair. The very swollen, damaged ear was initially thought to be a haematoma but later discovered to be a huge abscess.

Keira was first taken to Newnham Court Veterinary Surgery where she was monitored overnight before being taken to Valgrays Border Collie and Animal Rescue centre in Biggin Hill where she was rushed to the nearby King's Road Veterinary Surgery.

During her examination it was discovered she was covered in puncture wounds.

Val said: "We have taken in the most saddest case going. When she arrived, I knew this poor girl needed urgent help.

"The cut to her ear was huge and the infection was vast. If you touched it she screamed."

Surgery was performed by vet Rikus Harmse who drained the abscess. Val said: "He said he had never seen anything like this so bad. She had an abscess, high infection, bite wounds and was in huge pain.

"After I collected her she managed to eat a little but I sat and cried for this lovely dog. People are just evil.

"She may lose the ear but we have done all we can. The dog warden knows she will have first-class care but it is a long haul."

A Swale council spokesman said: "Keira was collected in Teynham in a very poor condition. It was clear she has been neglected for some time and despite being chipped, the contact information is out of date so we have been unable to locate her owners.

“We want to remind people that it is a legal requirement to have your dog chipped and to make sure the details are up to date so you can be contacted should your dog go missing.

“If anyone has any information about Keira or her owners, please call us on 01795 417850.”

Keira is now recuperating and will remain at the centre until an owner is found or she is well enough to be rehomed.

The sanctuary is seeking donations to pay for the treatment. Email valgrays@gmail.com for details or visit its Facebook page here for updates on the animal's condition.

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