Search continues for owner of dog rescued from well
The RSPCA is still trying to trace the owner of a dog left trapped in water down a well for several days.
The Caucasian Shepherd was rescued by firefighters using hoses to winch the pet from the 15ft (4.5m) well at Phoenix Sidings in Newton, near Stockton.
The animal charity said the dog, which has been named Badger because of its grey and white colouring, is doing well and getting stronger.
However, despite him being rescued on 12 April, his owner has still not been traced.
Inspector Krissy Raine said Badger was microchipped but the chip was not registered.
She said the dog is believed to have run off during a walk, as it was wearing a leather collar with brass studs and a black leather lead.
"You can't imagine what he must have been going through," she said.
"He was hungry, scared and freezing cold and was probably at the point of giving up.
"He's lost a lot of weight. When we saw him he was dipping his head in the water probably to wake himself up.
"Cleveland Fire Brigade were absolutely brilliant, they got two hoses under him after going in and slowly hitched him up and got him out."
Vet Harriet Bloom said Badger was doing well and no longer needed a feeding tube.
"He's eating for himself and going out for walks," she said.
"It's now just a matter of getting his strength up."
The dog, believed to be less than a year old, was rescued by firefighters from Thornaby after RSPCA inspectors raised the alarm.
They had been called by a dog walker who had spotted the distressed dog and initially thought it was a badger.
Steph Baines, another RSPCA inspector, said Badger was "lucky to be alive".
"He’s really lovely; a friendly, gentle giant," she added.
"There must be someone out there who is missing him and wondering where he’s gone."
Although drinking the water he was trapped in may have kept the dog alive, its skin and mouth had been blistered because it was contaminated, she added.
The charity has begun a fundraising appeal to pay for the cost of Badger's care and has so far raised £2,800 of a target of £5,000.
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