Who could be so cruel?

A puppy has died after she is believed to have been deliberately thrown into Ashton’s Portland Basin Marina.

A member of the public pulled the young black Labrador from the waters after hearing splashing and people arguing.

The five-month-old puppy was found struggling in the water between two boats near the steel footbridge and pulled to safety before being rushed to a local veterinary practice. 

Peggy, as she was nicknamed by staff, was lethargic and extremely cold. Her jaw appeared to have been prised open leaving her tongue hanging out. She was stabilised and transferred to the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital on the same day where she was sedated to allow x-rays to be taken. 

They showed she had suffered serious, multiple fractures to her jaw which were sadly inoperable. The team of vets at the hospital agreed she was suffering and made the decision to humanely put her to sleep as her injuries meant she would be unable to eat or drink properly.

It is believed Peggy, who was not microchipped, had been deliberately thrown into the water. It is not known if her injuries were sustained as a result of the fall or if they occurred beforehand. The incident happened on Wednesday last week at around 3.20pm.    

The RSPCA is investigating and has carried out enquiries in the immediate area, which are continuing, with the charity urging any witnesses to come forward.

RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Kate Sargent, who is investigating, said: “Everyone who has been involved in this terrible incident has been left feeling shocked and saddened by what happened to Peggy. It’s hard to understand how anyone could do something like this to such a young dog. We’d like to extend our sincere thanks to the kind people who got her out of the water and sought help, and to the veterinary teams who saw her.

“We’d appeal to anyone who recognises Peggy or who was at the marina at the time to get in touch so we can progress this investigation further. We are also asking nearby businesses and homes in the surrounding area to check their CCTV and video doorbells.” 

Anyone with first-hand information is urged to contact the RSPCA’s appeals line, in confidence, on 0300 123 8018 quoting reference number 01467665.

Peggy’s tragic plight prompted an outpouring of anger and heartbreak across local social media sites, with literally hundreds offering her help and a home before learning she had sadly been put to sleep.