A DOG FOUND bloodied, beaten and abandoned in Dublin last week may have been used in a dog fight, the ISPCA says.

Garth, an English bull terrier, was found in the Finglas area last week by a member of the public.

He was discovered lying at the edge of a park and brought to the nearby Irish Blue Cross mobile veterinary clinic.

A veterinary examination by surgeon Thomas Taras quickly revealed he had multiple severe wounds to his neck, throat and front legs consistent with bites from another dog.

The Blue Cross put Garth on the road to recovery by cleaning his wounds and administering antibiotics.

Garth, who is named after that singer, shows signs of being a well-trained house pet, the Blue Cross says.

The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) has begun an investigation into how Garth came to be in this position and will take over from The Irish Blue Cross and continue his rehabilitation and rehoming.

“It would appear that Garth was involved in some form of dog fight” said the ISPCA’s Chief Inspector Conor Dowling,

But, from an assessment of the dog and his injuries, we do not believe that he willingly engaged in a fight with the other dog involved. We would really like to identify those responsible for putting Garth in the position whereby he suffered these atrocious injuries and hold them legally accountable for their actions.

Source: ISPCA

Garth is now at the ISPCA’s national rehab facility.

Chris Conneely, Manager at The Irish Blue Cross said: “We were delighted to play our part in giving quality of life back to this beautiful dog, who very quickly wagged his tail in appreciation for the care and comfort given to him by our fabulous personnel and volunteers.”

The ISPCA and The Irish Blue Cross are appealing to anybody who may have any information regarding Garth’s past to contact the ISPCA’s National Animal Cruelty Helpline on 1890 515 515 or the Irish Blue Cross on 01-416303