Express & Star

Elsa on the road to recovery after being found abandoned and on the brink of death at Black Country nature reserve

A rescue charity has thanked kind-hearted people from the UK and across the world for helping to save a dog that was found abandoned and ‘on the brink of death’.

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Elsa when she was first brought in

A member of the public discovered Elsa, a French Mastiff, at Corngreaves Nature Reserve in Cradley Heath.

The painfully thin dog was eventually taken in by the Animal House Rescue Charity, which is run by volunteers in Sandwell, and given emergency treatment. Now she is firmly on the road to recovery – even enjoying Christmas in a new home with a foster family in Staffordshire.

Charity volunteer Sue Hodges said: “I would just like to say thank you to everyone that has helped.

“We have been contacted by people from all over the country and across the world, from the likes of China to Australia and America People have donated money and sent in letters and cards to us and Elsa.”

Elsa enjoying life on the road to recovery

Elsa, who is aged around three or four, was given her nickname because she was found ‘frozen’. She would have died had she not been found that day, said Sue, who at the time appealed for the public to help fund ‘substantial’ vets bills.

When she was brought into the charity earlier this month Elsa was malnourished and weighed only 17kg when she should have been around 45kg.

After being given care and support, she now weighs 26kg and is getting better every day. Sue hopes the foster family, who have three other dogs, will take Elsa in permanently once she is fully recovered.

Elsa enjoying life on the road to recovery and sporting a Christmas jumper

Elsa is being monitored around the clock and needs dressings on her back paws due to sores.

Elsa was also cared for by YourVets in Smethwick, where she was passed onto from Animal House Rescue Charity, which is based in Birmingham.

The charity is run by around 20 volunteers in the Sandwell and Birmingham area. Contact them on 0121 4223709 or 07989 284683.