Llys Nini branch of the RSPCA - News - 06/06/06 - RSPCA Llys Nini Dog of the Year 2006

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06/06/06: RSPCA Llys Nini Dog of the Year 2006

Benji

RSPCA Llys Nini Dog of the Year 2006 is Benji the puppy, from Pembrokeshire, who had his leg smashed badly when his owner threw him across the room and then dumped him.

The Pembrokeshire RSPCA Branch paid for treatment, which unfortunately involved amputating the leg, he then came to the Llys Nini Animal Centre for nursing.

Benji is an amazing puppy, who soon got back on his own 3 feet and won the hearts of everyone at the Animal Centre.

Once he was well, he soon found a new home with a "big sister" Honey the Labrador. He has settled in well, even though he keeps sneaking out of his own bed at night and in with Honey.

His new family brought him to the Fun Dog Show at Llys Nini on Sunday and there he managed to win over the judges and be awarded the RSPCA (rescue) Dog of the Year South West Wales. He will go forward to the regional final and then should he win that to the National Final in the Autumn. Steve Byrne, Animal Centre Manager for Llys Nini said "Benji has got a very good chance of winning the final, he is a bright dog with a lovely temperament. He looks good and has got a really good story. We are all rooting for him".

Llys Nini Animal Centre in Penllergaer Swansea, rescued over 1300 animals last year, of which Benji was just one.

The other Dog is Sheba - also an Inspectorate rescue, who had her jaw removed and rebuilt due to cancer. She has made a full recovery, and won 2nd place in DOTY and also the dog with the shiniest coat class. Sheba became a local celebrity when the South Wales Evening Post showed pictures of her at the time of her rescue - she looked dreadful! She and 2 other dogs were found in a small compound without a roof, living in complete squalor, with no clean water, dry bedding or decent food. Her condition was appalling and her health had suffered. It was found that besides being malnourished, infested with fleas and with a skin complaint, she had cancer in her jaw. She has made an amazing recovery due to the care and attention afforded to her by the Animal Centre and her new owners.