Colin was found struggling around rural parts of Romania by animal welfare activist, Diana Neacsu, having had his front legs purposefully cut-off in an act of severe animal cruelty.
For animal lover Claire Revis, from West Yorkshire, his story was too sad to ignore, and after she immediately began fundraising in order to help Colin, after getting the call from friend Neacsu.
Revis explains that Colin: ‘was found in a horrendous state, he’d been walking on bare bones, the skin on his two front legs had come off and he had a lot of infection’.
The 48-year-old was there to welcome Colin after his 1,700 mile journey from Bucharest to Essex, before transporting him to Brighouse, West Yorkshire, where she is based.
It is here that Colin underwent preliminary surgery on his legs – something that the pup is still recovering from. Colin now has to wait for his wounds to heal before his prosthetic legs, flown over from the United States, can be fitted.
But sadly, Colin’s case is not a one off. Revis explains that ‘there are dead dogs on every street in Bucharest, some [people] tie wire around their necks and drag them around for pleasure’.
Indeed Claire has seen some animals in the worst state imaginable, including a dog that had been attacked with a machete.
But thanks to Revis, Colin has been given a lifeline – with her taking him on saving him from probably death and giving him the opportunity to enjoy his life in a loving and welcoming environment.