A TERRIFIED dog with a horribly infected eye popping out of her head was found wandering in a "terrible state" in Ramsbottom cemetery.

The poor dog was found in the closed off Ramsbottom Cemetery, off Cemetery Road, by a concerned member of the public at about 4.30pm on Sunday, October 18.

The elderly Shih Tzu had dirty, matted hair covering her eyes, rendering her effectively blind. One eye was also so badly infected it was enlarged and popping out of her head.

The woman immediately took the dog to a nearby vet who then reported the matter to the animal welfare charity and RSPCA animal rescuer Inspector Demi Hodby was sent to the scene.

She received emergency treatment at the vets where some of her matted fur was cut off, with her conditions stabilising a couple of days later, where she was taken to Greater Manchester Animal Hospital (GMAH) for further treatment.

More hair was cut from the pet Demi named Boo, as she was found in a graveyard ahead of Halloween, and a vet decided that her eye was so severely infected that she had to undergo an operation to have it removed.

An investigation has now been launched to trace the person responsible for abandoning her.

Demi said: “Poor Boo was so terrified she was trembling and was in a terrible condition. She couldn't see anything because she was blind in the infected eye and the other one was covered in matts.

“She couldn’t see where she was going and was frightened when anyone went near her.

“Her eye was so swollen and badly infected it was bulging from her head and must have caused her a lot of pain and suffering. There was also crusting round her face from where the infection was coming from her eye

“But following treatment Boo seems to be making good progress and when she is fully rehabilitated we will be able to look for a new home for her.”

Shannon McCall, the vet who treated Boo at GMAH, said: “The condition of her coat was dreadful, with lots of matts present and she had an underlying skin infection. Her nails were very long and had started to curl into her pads.

“We sedated her, shaved out her matts, clipped her nails and removed her eye. She is currently on medication for her remaining eye to keep it lubricated and infection free.

Inspector Hodby is now appealing for information from anyone who may recognise the owner of the dog or can give information as to who is responsible for abandoning her.

Anyone with information should call the RSPCA appeals line on 0800 123 8018.

To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care please visit our website or call our donation line on 0300 123 8181.