AN ABANDONED DOG has been taken in by a Rossendale animal charity after other rescue centers turned it away due to its breed.

Hazel, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier crossed with an American bulldog, was abandoned in Salford- but  many local rescue centers were willing to take her in forcing them to reach out to Rossendale Responsible Animal Rescue (RRAR).

Tracy Haslam is the manager of the group, which is made up of volunteers from in and around the Rossendale Valley.

Lancashire Telegraph: Tracy Haslam Tracy Haslam

She said: “We try and help any animals that we can- bring dogs from the pound in to foster and try and find them their forever home.”

Tracy took Hazel into the care of the Rossendale Responsible Animal Rescue and she took Hazel into the care of (RRAR) last week.  

(Facebook/Rossendale Responsible Animal Centre)

She posted Hazel’s sad story to Facebook writing:

“This little lady has come to us after a call from a social worker- although she was way out of our area (Salford) the social worker was desperate to save her life and no local rescue would help… some rescues even said they don’t take ‘dogs like this’.

“If all rescues had that attitude, what would happen to dogs like Hazel?

“We can all rehome the cute fluffy ones, the friendly ones, the easy ones- That's not what rescue is about.”

Ms Haslam said her previous owners were being evicted from their home- and they planned on leaving Hazel alone in the house after the eviction.

A social worker took responsibility of Hazel and set out to try and place the dog in a rescue centre.

Tracy explained: “She rang around quite a few rescues from that area (Salford) and nobody would help- they said they don’t take ‘that type of dog’”.

Lancashire Telegraph: Hazel to Rossendale Responsible Animal RescueHazel to Rossendale Responsible Animal Rescue

An RSPCA branch was also called.

Tracy said: “THE RSPCA said they would come along and put tape on the door and take the dog in 24 hours.

“The social worker told them that the tape will be broken as she couldn’t leave the dog without food or water.

“The RSPCA replied by saying that if the tape is broken when they get there they won’t class the dog as being abandoned and they then won’t be able to do anything to help either”.

We approached the RSPCA for comment on the situation.

They said they take in all kinds of dogs “irrespective of their breed, age, behaviour.”

They also added that it is “routine process” to tape up a door during a case of abandonment.

They said: “We regularly respond to calls about abandoned animals and our routine process (when a dog is abandoned inside a private address and not in a public place, such as a park) is to tape up the door of a property.

“This is so that we have evidence that an owner isn't returning to provide care to an animal and that we can prove that animal has been abandoned.

“It's very important that we have evidence to prove that an animal has been abandoned (otherwise we could be accused of stealing someone's pet!) which is why we use the tape measure and why we have to monitor an animal over a period of time in order to ensure that animal has, in fact, been abandoned."

A spokesperson added: “Our officers are incredibly busy and, like emergency services, we categorise our calls and always prioritise emergencies, such as an animal injured in an RTC and requiring immediate veterinary attention.

“However, we always look into reports made to us and try to attend as quickly as possible. “

‘Staffies are completely misunderstood’

Tracy said breeds such as Staffies are often though of as aggressive by the public- but this is rarely the case.  

She said: “A lot of the Staffies we get in are no trouble.”

“Hazel is dead cuddly and a bit of a lazy lump- she’s a really good dog and there are no problems with her whatsoever.”

Lancashire Telegraph: Hazel (Photo: to Rossendale Responsible Animal Rescue)Hazel (Photo: to Rossendale Responsible Animal Rescue)

Sadly, Tracy said this type of thing happens a lot dogs can be judged based on their breed.

Tracy explained: “A cute, fluffy and friendly dog can be rehomed easily. We can get 300-400 requests for a fluffy dog- but finding a home for a staff we might only get two or three requests.

“However- these cute fluffballs are usually more trouble!”

Hazel is currently in a foster home so staff at the RRAR can asses how she interacts with children, her owners and other animals.

After that, the group will try and find Hazel her forever home.

The RRAR rely entirely on charitable donations and money raised from fundraisers. Every penny raised goes to the animals and none of the volunteers get paid for the work they do.

If you would like to volunteer or make a donation to the group, visit the RRAR Facebook page.