Dog Left in Such a Bad State of Neglect Nearly All Her Fur Has Fallen Out

A dog has been rescued in such a distressing state of neglect that almost all of her hair has fallen out.

Little is known about Peggy's life before she arrived at the shelter run by the Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) in Ireland, but it's clear she's suffered greatly.

"She was found as a stray like this. She's approximately six years old," a spokesperson for the DSPCA told Newsweek. You only have to look at Peggy to know there's a lot more to her story and little, if any of it, is likely to have been good.

A video posted to social media by the DSPCA laid bare the catalog of horrific injuries Peggy has incurred during a sustained period of neglect.

Peggy arrived with a severe case of mange and has lost nearly all of her fur. She's underweight, her nails are overgrown, she has dental disease, severe conjunctivitis and "cherry eye" a common term for the prolapse or popping out of the third eyelid gland in both eyes.

"Someone left her like this," the DSPCA wrote alongside the video. Peggy looks understandably forlorn throughout the 33-second video released by the shelter. She's clearly experiencing some discomfort.

The DSPCA has already taken steps to help alleviate her anguish, though, with more significant steps still to come. "She's on special medicated baths for her skin, drops for eyes, an eating plan to gain weight," the DSPCA spokesperson said. "She'll have surgery on her eyes when her skin has improved and when she's well enough."

For now though, she must wait. "She is contagious to other animals so she must remain isolated from any other pets," they said.

Though Peggy's wounds will heal with time, it's impossible to know the extent of the psychological scars left from her ordeal.

Canine Post Traumatic Stress Disorder may not yet be an official term, but there is evidence to suggest dogs are capable of experiencing the symptoms associated with the condition.

In 2012, a study published by researchers from Japan writing in the journal Scientific Reports found that dogs abandoned after the 2011 Fukushima earthquake were producing higher levels of cortisol, the hormone associated with stress, than those that hadn't lived through a similar level of trauma.

Angry Reactions

Whatever the future holds for Peggy, it's clear her story has understandably angered many in Ireland, starting with the DSPCA. Writing alongside the video of Peggy in the shelter, it said: "NO animal deserves this, we HAVE to do better, we NEED to do better."

Those sentiments were echoed by many of those commenting on the clip on social media. One user wrote: "Why are people so evil? This is not acceptable. Why even have a dog in the first place sickening.. whoever did this needs to pay."

A second commented: "We are supposed to be a civilized society. Heartbreaking," with a third adding: "Tears in my eyes. Can't understand how someone could treat animals so badly."

Peggy may face a long road to recovery, but in time, the hope is she'll find the forever home and loving owner she so richly deserves.

"She'll stay in the shelter and go out to a foster home once our veterinary team are happy for her to go," the DSPCA spokesperson told Newsweek.