AN animal charity that rescued a family of nine dogs that were dumped in Winchester countryside is appealing for potential owners.

The RSPCA has rehabilitated and re-homed eight of the poodle-crosses, but the hunt is still on to find an owner for Will. He is currently at Ashley Heath Animal Centre in Ringwood.

Inspector Jan Edwards, who has worked with the dogs since they were discovered in January, said all Will needs is care and attention.

Hampshire Chronicle:

Above: Will is on the road to recovery but looking for a loving home

“He needs to be in a property where someone is home most of the day, with children over eight-years-old and no cats or other dogs,” she said.

“He likes dogs, but only in a social setting. He will need ongoing veterinary support because he has a heart murmur and on-going eye related problems.

“He is a special boy.”

She said the other dogs are “doing well”.

“Considering how they were, they were in such an awful state and clearly had not had any decent human interaction for all of their lives,” she added.

Hampshire Chronicle:

Above: Two of the dogs which were found in a shocking state in January

The family of eight one-year-olds and their eight-year-old mother, called Kate, were found wandering rural lanes in Upham, Owslebury, Alresford and Winchester’s Morestead Road.

Their fur was so badly matted they were unable to see or stand. Vets across the county worked tirelessly to remove a total of 95kg of hair in procedures that took up to three hours per animal.

At one stage there were fears Kate wouldn’t survive.

After months of tests, medication and training, seven of the dogs are now in permanent homes, with Mavis currently living with a fosterer.

Ms Edwards added that the RSPCA is no closer to tracing who dumped the animals.

Anyone who would like to re-home Will should call Ashley Heath Animal Centre on 0300 123 4999.