Watch: 15 dogs rescued from house as charity details one pooch's "heartbreaking existence"
These pictures and video demonstrate the “heartbreaking existence” of a dog who spent years locked in a bare cage.
Pumpkin is now recovering after being rescued by Rotherham-based animal charity, Helping Yorkshire Poundies, which saves stray and impounded dogs from death row.
She was one of 15 dogs rescued by charities from the house where she was being kept.
The dogs are all now said to be “safe”.
Detailing the state Pumpkin was found in, a spokesperson for Helping Yorkshire Poundies said: “This is Pumpkin she has just been rescued from the most heartbreaking existence.
“She has spent years locked in a bare cage - just standing, or trying to balance, on the bars - we honestly have no idea how she endured this - it was sealed shut when she was rescued.
“Pumpkin was in such a bad way that she collapsed as we got her to the van, it was a total heart in the mouth moment, but slowly she came round, her tongue got its colour back, she sat up and had a little drink and looked around.
“Her poor feet are knuckled and damaged from having to stand on bars, her back legs are unable to bend - the pain she must have endured constantly is just terrible to think about.
“She is understandably very scared, is too scared to walk on a lead right now… but she is being SO brave and is savouring every smell, every drink of clean water, every cuddle like it’s all her first time.
“There is a lot more to say… a lot more ahead for our special girl, but that’s for another day - for now, we’re just so relieved that she’s out of that cage and we will be with her all the way on her journey.
“Please donate for our precious Pumpkin if you can, she has a long road ahead and we’ll do what we can for her to undo the past and give her a pain free future.”
Responding to comments on social media, Helping Yorkshire Poundies has asked people not to “post negative, aggressive comments inciting hatred and violence towards the owners.”
They acknowledge that learning about Pumpkin’s experiences at her previous home are “really upsetting,” but add there is a “really big” story behind what has happened, and they will share the details in due course.
To find out more about dogs in need of homes, visit Helping Yorkshire Poundies’ website or Facebook page.