The animals were mainly shih tzus, and all of them had fur so badly matted with faeces that they could not walk properly.

Their skin was burnt with urine and the dogs had been bitten so often by fleas they had scratched themselves continually until they bled from skin sores.

The youngest appeared to be less than a couple of weeks old, and many of the females were pregnant.

However, after a week the man released the Shih Tzu needed more help than he could provide so took him to a vet, at which point the RSPCA was called.

The dog, now named Ashton, after where he was discovered, was rushed to Greater Manchester Animal Hospital for emergency veterinary treatment.

Once at the hospital vets shaved around 10% of Ashton’s bodyweight off in matted fur to allow him to move freely.

They also discovered Ashton, who is thought to be around six years old, is blind in one eye due to glaucoma and has very little sight in the other due to cataracts.

RSPCA Inspector Ryan King said given Ashton’s poor eyesight it was ‘not surprising the poor dog’ was ‘too terrified’ to move from where he was abandoned.

‘Sadly it looks like both eyes may have to be removed to prevent further suffering – although vets will do all they can to save the eye with cataracts,’ Ryan said.

‘Staff had to shave off 1.3 kilograms of matted fur – which was 10% of his overall body weight – as this was preventing him from moving and causing him suffering.’

Ryan said while Ashton was ‘doing well in himself’ it was clear he had been cared for properly.

‘Ashton was clearly neglected and it appears that instead of seeking help for their pet the owner decided to dump him and left him in a very vulnerable position as he couldn’t see or walk – he would have been terrified in such an unknown environment, Ryan said.

Ben Faulkner, manager at Greater Manchester Animal Hospital, said when Ashton arrived at the hospital he was in a ‘terrible state with matted fur and blindness’.

‘Sometimes matting can cut off blood supply to limbs and in some cases dogs left in this state have had to have amputations,’ Ben said.

‘Fortunately, this was not the case although the dog had overgrown nails and one was curling into the paw pad which would have caused considerable suffering.

‘He was also found to have multiple eye conditions which will require further examinations and possible removal and had ear infections in both ears which he is now receiving treatment for.’

Following Ashton’s discovery, the RSPCA is appealing for information to help track down his owner.

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