Dog wardens at Blaby District Council are looking to re-home Angel, a female Staffordshire bull terrier that was handed in two weeks ago.

Angel is two years old and is very friendly, despite being badly mistreated by her previous owners.

Senior dog warden Michelle Ikin explains: “Angel is microchipped so we know her name and age. We have been given information to suggest that the people who found her were in fact the owners and that the dog had been seen a few days before being badly mistreated in full view of neighbours. The people involved are denying that it is their dog and this investigation is continuing.

“The sad thing about this case is Angel was rescued when she was a year old from a situation where she had been kept in a cage and regularly beaten. It seems she has now been let down again by another irresponsible owner and looks like she will be spending Christmas in kennels.

“Despite all this she is very friendly and surprisingly isn’t nervous, which we can only put down to the fact she thinks this kind of abuse towards her is the norm.

“It seems very spooky we end up with a dog that has gone through all this at Christmastime with a name like Angel, so would absolutely love to get her into the loving home she deserves.”

Any one who has any information relating to Angel or who may be interested in offering her a new home can get in touch on either 0116 272 7555 or 07823 533290.

Around 160 strays are picked up each year by the local authority’s dog wardens and about half of these are left homeless.

Photos and descriptions of all available dogs are available at www.blaby.gov.uk/dogs.

All animals are assessed, vaccinated, microchipped and neutered (where possible) and a fee of £105 is charged to cover these costs.

Anyone who feels they may be able to offer a home to a dog should contact Blaby District Council on env.health@blaby.gov.uk or 0116 272 7555.