AN APPEAL has been launched to help raise £2,000 to save the sight of a mistreated greyhound rescued by a Rossendale charity with five others.

Two-year-old greyhound, Jacob, and his companions were discovered living in poor conditions in Middleton, Manchester on Saturday.

Two females are being looked after by the Greyhound Trust while the others are being looked after by Rossendale Responsible Animal Rescue.

The animals are believed to have been used for racing and were living in a dark, cold allotment with only cardboard as a bed.

They had not been fed properly and are extremely underweight.

Young Jacob was found to be blind in his left eye, thought to have been caused by a blow to the head and has a cataract on his right eye.

A GoFundMe page has now been created to raise £2,000 to save the animal's sight. The current total is at around £420.

The other dogs found at the allotment include Luca, Brody and Noah who also have wounds and sores on their bodies and bald patches.

Jacob's foster owner, Shantel Freeman, 28, of Torview, Rawtenstall, said: "He is one of the worst cases I have had.

"It was horrendous.

"He couldn't get out of the car.

"He has big weeping sores on his legs so it is hard for him to use them.

"When he came inside it was the first time he had stepped on carpet.

"It was heartbreaking watching him trying to walk on it.

"When he came in I sat on the floor and he came right up to me and put his head on my shoulder. I think it was his way of saying thank you."

The youngster has perked up in the last few days and has even started playing with her own dog Miley, a 20-month-old Labrador retriever cross.

The mum of two said: "He really is fabulous.

"He is just starting to find his way round without bumping his head.

"This morning he has just started to respond to his name so the house was full of praise.

"He is quiet and reserved but just starting to come out of his shell.

"And today was the first day he played with my dog.

"He likes chicken and he absolutely adores cheese. He knows as soon as you get the packet out.

"We need to raise at least £2,000.

"He needs an operation to remove cataracts. It is a lot of money and RRAR can't afford that much on one dog."

For more information visit https://www.gofundme.com/kgzs2emc.

Alternatively people can donate by visiting Shuttleworth's Vets on 01706225300 quoting The Rescue Greyhound Fund'.