Mowgli gets back on his feet

He was caged, underfed and mistreated, but Mowgli is now enjoying his second bite at life.

At 10 weeks old the cocker spaniel was rescued from a puppy farm by the RSPCA, after being found with his brother and mother, all in separate cages.

Now owner Tom Sweeney said Mowgli came to him in an appalling condition.

"He had mange, a lot of fur was missing and he was incredibly underweight," Mr Sweeney said.

"You could see all his ribs and bones sticking through.

"He was just kept in a cage and had no contact with any other dogs or people."

The RSPCA says Mowgli is just one of hundreds of dogs who have suffered in puppy factories.

The animal welfare organisation is campaigning against puppy factories and is calling on the State Government for tougher laws relating to breeding and selling dogs and puppies.

Allie Jalbert, RSPCA Victoria animal shelters manager, said she had seen animals kept in horrific conditions.

"In one instance I saw animals kept in suspended wire cages so that the faeces and urine could fall through and didn't have to be cleaned as often," Ms Jalbert said.

"There are also quite a number of these factories in Victoria that have 'debarked' their dogs - meaning they've had their vocal chords removed surgically, so they won't make so much noise."

The RSPCA also urges consumers to boycott pet stores, whose animals, they claim, come mainly from puppy factories.

"We believe most animals that are bought from pet stores, newspapers and the internet come from puppy factories," she said.

Animals raised in puppy farms often suffered serious physical and behavioural problems, Ms Jalbert said.

"We quite commonly see dogs that have long term chronic health conditions or defects," Ms Jalbert said.

Reference: www.heraldsun.com.au

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