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RSPCA inundated with calls about 'thinnest dog'

RSPCA Peanut the lurcher lying on a fluffy blanket which has red, blue, yellow, pink, purple and green circular spots on it. She is very thin. Her bones cannot be seen as she is wearing a pink jumper over the middle of her body. She has a purple wrap around her back leg and is curled up inside a metal crate.RSPCA
The animal centre said it could not yet accept applications for Peanut - despite huge interest

The RSPCA said it had been "inundated with phone calls, emails and Facebook messages" after it took in the "thinnest dog" one of it officers had ever seen.

Three-year-old Peanut was found on New Year's Day near Dunton Lane in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire.

The lurcher had pressure sores on her legs and had been visibly starved before she was rescued by a Cambridgeshire branch of the animal welfare charity.

A spokesperson for the RSPCA's Block Fen Animal Centre at Wimblington, near March, said Peanut was still "very underweight" and had "a long way to go" before she could be rehomed.

Warning: This story contains images which may be upsetting

Peanut had been "lifeless" when she was brought to the centre, said kennel supervisor Tiffany Saunders.

The rescued lurcher was being fed with small, regular meals and her weight gain was slow due because she had been "incredibly emaciated".

The centre had received many questions about the condition of Peanut, who still had a long way to go.

RSPCA Peanut the rescued lurcher standing up. All the bones in her ribs, back and legs can be seen through her fur, which is a light shade of brown and white, but is only thin. She has a camouflage-style wrapping on her back legs and looks frightened. The bent leg of the handler who is kneeling next to Peanut can also be seen. They have got their hand on Peanut's back. RSPCA
Peanut, who had had been "incredibly emaciated", was showing signs of improvement, said kennel supervisors

A spokesperson said: "Over the last few weeks, we have been inundated with phone calls, emails and Facebook messages from people all over the country asking about Peanut.

"We will of course keep you all updated on her progress but at the moment we are unable to accept applications for her."

It said the support for Peanut had been "absolutely incredible" and an Amazon wish list had been set up for items needed to help her recovery.

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