The elderly British bulldog cared for at Oakham Veterinary Hospital after being abandoned near Wakerley has been put to sleep.

Nine-year-old Mercy was rescued after being discovered alone in woodland on Friday (28 Aug) and taken to the Ashwell Road vet practice.

She was found to be riddled with cancerous masses, which was affecting her breathing, and received palliative care.

Although Mercy was microchipped, the Oakham Veterinary Hospital team's efforts to trace her owner drew a blank - two mobile phone numbers were unobtainable and an email bounced back.

The practice and Rutland County Council also tried to track down her owner via social media.

A spokesman for Rutland County Council told Oakham Nub News this afternoon: "Due to the condition in which she was found, Mercy was taken straight to Oakham Veterinary Hospital, where she was examined and cared for by staff.

"Unfortunately, due to severe underlying health issues that were found to be having a significant impact on Mercy's quality of life, vets have taken the difficult decision to put her to rest.

"This is very sad news and not the outcome that we'd all hoped for.

"We are grateful to everyone who shared posts about Mercy on social media in an attempt to find her owners."