Stray dog has leg amputated
as dog wardens seek answers

Date published:  24 April 2026

An appeal for information has been launched after a dog was found abandoned in a terrible condition on the street of a village near Broadway.

The Jack Russell Terrier, affectionately named Ethel, was found in Childswickham in a weakened state, severely underweight and with old wounds that had been left untreated. Her rear right leg was particularly affected and appeared to have gone through a strangulation injury.

Initial inspections of the dog found she had a potentially cancerous mass on the left side of her chest and had moderate dental disease.

After being collected, because of the injury to her leg, Ethel was rushed to the vets by Wychavon’s dog warden team and put on pain relief and stabilised.

Following the seven-day statutory boarding period ending, with no owner coming forward, Ethel has been passed to a charity organised foster home where she is receiving specialist care. Unfortunately, she has had to return to the vets to have her leg amputated. However, Ethel now looks to be on the road to recovery and is reported as comfortable and doing well.

Pip Griffin, Senior Dog Warden for Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) on behalf of Wychavon, said: “It is upsetting to see the unnecessary suffering Ethel has endured. When she was found, she was in a huge amount of pain, yet she still has the sweetest temperament.

“It is important we find the former owner so that we can prevent them allowing this to happen again.

“Sadly, Ethel’s story is not a unique experience as we continue to find more dogs with welfare needs being seized across the county. We will continue to ask for the support of the public to track down negligent owners. If you know who had this dog previously, please come forward and provide a statement.”

Last year, 24% of stray dogs had welfare issues, compared to one-fifth of all strays received in previous years.

Worcestershire Regulatory Services delivers the Dog Warden service for Wychavon and the five other city, borough and district councils in the county.

Residents with any information on Ethel or her owner can contact WRS by calling  01905 822799 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..