AN URGENT appeal to raise £4,000 to fund a lifesaving operation for a dog which has severe mobility issues.

Staff at Ferne Animal Sanctuary took in British Bulldog Poppy earlier this month, and were staggered at the litany of leg and ligament ailments she has.

Soon after her arrival, staff realised she had serious issues with the ligaments in both of her hind legs.

She also has problems in both of her knees, her hips and her spine.

Poppy has been passed from pillar to post over recent years, which has made her recovery from the issues almost impossible. If she doesn;t receive urgent treatment, the only option for staff would be to put her down.

Tara Nirula, animal care manager and rehoming manager at the sanctuary, said that Poppy is living with "excruciating" pain.

She said: "Poppy really stands out as one of the most adorable, friendly and loving dogs we have ever cared for at Ferne.

“She has never had a permanent home or family, has lived with excruciating pain and yet she just doesn’t have a bad side to her.

"It’s as though she’s put her total trust in us to make her better, wagging her tail even as we give her medicine or take her to the Vets.

"Without a doubt, she has won all of our hearts here.”

The sanctuary has funded Poppy's first operation, but after that she will still require subsequent operations, medication, physiotherapy and hydrotherapy to ensure she has a full recovery.

It is expected that the cost for the subsequent operations will be around £4,000, and the sanctuary has launched "Poppy's Appeal" to raise the needed funds.

Samantha Lane, a veterinary surgeon, said: “Poppy has multiple orthopaedic injuries but is a happy and loving dog considering the amount of pain she must be in.

"She has had multiple homes in her short life and although we are unable to get her veterinary history, I believe that her orthopaedic disease is the reason she has had so many homes."

For more information regarding the appeal, or to donate, visit totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/poppy