This dog was in such a sorry state when she was rescued that she looked like a MOP

This poor little pooch’s fur was so matted and overgrown when she was handed in to a veterinary practice that she resembled a mop.

Rosie the shih tzu was found wandering the streets of Bury, Lancashire, with no microchip, collar or ID tag.

And when staff saw how overgrown her fur had become, they couldn’t help comparing the tiny ball of fluff to a mop head.

Sadly it wasn’t just her fur that was in a state – Rosie’s skin was bleeding and she was distressed after living rough on the streets.

The beautiful dog, who is thought to be aged between three and six-years-old, had been “severely neglected”, according to RSPCA inspector Lorna Campbell.

She said: “You could barely tell Rosie was a dog let alone what breed she was – she just looked like a dirty mop.

“She has clearly been severely neglected and was in a terrible state when we got her.

“Her coat was a horrible brown/grey colour when it should have been a beautiful cream and she had huge matted knots and dreadlocks in her coat which had made her skin sore and bleeding.

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“The coat was so bad that the only option we had was to shave it all off. Once we’d removed the fur, it revealed a number of sores and wounds to her skin.

“Vets believe her coat has been left to grow for a considerable length of time. Poor Rosie must have been so uncomfortable.”

Fortunately Rosie got the treatment she so desperately needed and after a shave and some care, she once again resembles a dog.

Inspector Campbell has launched an investigation into how she came to end up in such a state.

She added: “Bathing and grooming your pet dog is an important part of caring for them, just like walking them and taking them to the vets.

“Some breeds in particular need to be groomed daily and have to go to a groomer regularly to have their coats clipped and cut.

“Poor Rosie has not ended up like this overnight so must have been suffering for some time.

“I’d like to hear from anyone who might recognise her or know where she has come from to get in touch by calling our appeal line on 0300 123 8018.”

Top pic: SWNS