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AssetID: 40419636

Headline: Tight Muzzle Leaves Rescued Dog With Unusual Scarring On Her Face

Caption: A dog who was left for long periods of time with a tight muzzle digging into her skin has been left with permanent scarring around her face. Staffie cross Labrador Mercedes arrived at the RSPCA’s Chesterfield & North Derbyshire Branch in the U.K. last summer having been rescued by inspectors. Steph McCawley, from the branch, said: “Mercedes came to us from Greater Manchester Animal Hospital. She was rescued by RSPCA officers after concerns were raised for her welfare and vets found the scarring around her nose. “We believe this old injury was caused by a muzzle or halti-collar being left on her nose for long periods of time and being too tight. It caused a nasty wound to her face which has healed over time and the scarring has caused the fur to grow back white.” When she first arrived she was very timid and nervous but dedicated staff spent weeks slowly gaining her trust and building her confidence. Steph added: “Once she got to know us and built relationships with individuals she was such a lovely, friendly dog. Whenever you came to see her or take her for a walk she’d get giddy with excitement, it was so sweet.” Ben Clark, from Chesterfield, had been looking for a dog for some time when he, and his partner Kirsty, decided they wanted to give a rescue dog a second chance. He said: “We ended up visiting the Chesterfield branch about seven times before we found Mercedes. “I felt really sorry for her when I saw her scarring and heard her story. I was really sympathetic to what she’d been through and I think that’s really made me persist and spend lots of time helping her to settle and learn to trust people again. I’m so glad I got her and have been able to help her. “When we first met her we were told she hated men and kept herself to herself but when they first brought her out she was just so soppy and laid her head on my legs.” The couple reserved her and, after moving house, brought her home in September. Mercedes - now renamed Sadie - is now loving life as a spoiled pooch. Ben added: “Sadie settled in really quickly and definitely sees it as home. She loves the car and really enjoys travelling with us to see family - and their dogs! “We’ve been working on training her and although we’ve had a few bumps along the way - such as some of her destructive behaviour - we’re getting on really well. We’re working on some of her issues and she’s become really gentle and loving. “She is nothing like the timid dog we first got, now she loves company and is just as happy to do her own thing. She’s come a long way and I’m very proud of her.”

Keywords: feature,photo feature,photo story,animal story,dog,Staffie,rescue dog,animal rescue,mistreated,scarred,muzzle

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