Dog rescued from 'filthy house' adopted by her vet

A dog that was rescued from what an inspector described as one of the "worst jobs" of her career has found a new home with the vet who nursed her back to health.

Springer spaniel Floss was emaciated and covered in fleas when she was removed from a property in Northallerton, where a dead dog was also found.

Shannon Hamilton treated Floss when she was brought to the veterinary practice and said she felt "an instant connection", choosing to foster and later adopt her.

"She is a chaos tornado when she wants to be - there is never a dull moment and she is such a sweet-natured girl, she has brought so much joy to our lives," she said.

RSPCA Inspector Emma Stainthorpe and Chief Inspector Mark Gent were alerted to Floss's situation following a report to the charity's cruelty line.

When they visited the address, they found the house in a "horrendous condition", and further investigation revealed the decomposing body of a Mastiff dog in a bedroom.

Ms Stainthorpe said she would "never forget the smell and filth around the house" which was so severe the team had to wear disposable overalls, gloves and masks.

"It was one of the worst jobs of my 13-year career," she said.

"It was so upsetting to see - especially as we believe Floss had been living in the same house as the decomposing remains of her friend."

However, the black and white spaniel still happily greeted her rescuers with a wagging tail which "pulled on the heartstrings", she said.

"Even travelling to the vets I did think there was a big chance she would not pull through as she was so thin and infested with so many fleas that I prepared myself for the worst."

At the vets, it was discovered Floss was dehydrated, extremely underweight and anaemic, most likely due to the combination of malnutrition and fleas.

Ms Hamilton said when she first met the spaniel she was struck by her "lovely face and big puppy-dog eyes looking scared".

"I felt an instant connection - I just fell in love with her," she said.

"My partner came to see her at work as I was keen to foster her and he too was taken with her."

Floss is believed to be about seven years old and has settled well into her new life despite her rough start, she added.

"She loves people and other dogs and is not nervous at all considering what she has been through.

"She is our little girl and we love her to bits, and can't imagine the house without her in it."

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