A DOG at the brink of death was brought back to health thanks to an animal rescue centre in Brent, and is now looking for a new home.

Ruth, a four-year-old Boxer cross was brought to The Mayhew Animal Home in Kensal Green in July last year after suffering horrific abuse, but is now fighting fit.

Staff at the Mayhew say Ruth was days from death when she arrived, and described her as "frail" and "terrified".

The vet and animal welfare teams at rescue charity have been caring for her.

The Mayhew have had to wait for nearly a year to find Ruth a new home as her abuse case was involved in court proceedings.

Sabastio Sala, 23, of Ranston Street, Westminster, appeared at Willesden Magistrates Court on May 11 charged with two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and two counts of failing in a duty of care to a pet.
He admitted the charges and was sentenced to a 12 month community order with 250 hours of unpaid work for each offence (to run concurrently), contribution towards prosecution costs to the sum of £1,200, and a disqualification order to prevent him owning a dog as a pet for three years.
Carly Webber, the animal welfare officer involved in the case, said: “We are delighted that justice has been served for Ruth. Too many animal abuse cases don’t make it through the courts but the treatment of this poor girl was too horrific to ignore. This poor dog literally came back from the brink of death and now, thankfully, has a second chance to have a happy life instead of one of perpetual misery.

"This kind of animal abuse goes on behind so many closed doors and is indicative of many problems in our current society and the ease as to which people can obtain an animal. I hope never to see an animal in her condition again.”

The home is now looking for a suitable new owner for Ruth.

The Mayhew welcomes adoption enquiries from all over the country for their animals.

Anyone interested in giving Ruth a home cab contact Lisa Guiney, The Mayhew’s dog adoption officer, on 020 8969 0178 or email lisa@mayhewanimalhome.org