Two abandoned greyhounds found in an appalling state near Selby were only 48 hours from death, the area's dog warden said today.

Bill Parker, district council dog warden, said it was the worst case he had ever seen, and they were now making every effort to trace the owners with a view to possible prosecution.

He said the starving dogs were literally skin and bone after losing one-third of their body weight, were covered in open and weeping sores, and were riddled with fleas.

Mr Parker added: "Their claws were so over-grown it was difficult for them to walk, and their teeth so heavily tarted they could hardly eat.

"They will need dental treatment, but at present they are too weak to be anaesthetised.

"One of them only had half a tail. I can only describe their condition as diabolical."

The brindle bitch and dog, both thought to be about 10 years old, were found huddled and shivering in the dark on the doorstep of a house in Camblesforth.

Mr Parker said: "The condition they were in isn't something that could occur even after a month's neglect. This has happened over a long time and we're anxious to trace the owners.

"With the weather being very cold, they would not have survived another 48 hours."

He said the dogs were both bred in Ireland because they had tattoo markings in both ears, and the bitch had been registered for track racing.

"Unfortunately there are some people in the racing fraternity who simply abandon their greyhounds when they are past their racing sell-by date," said Mr Parker.

"It's a tragedy because they are affectionate animals which make very good pets."

The two dogs are now being nursed back to health at the Holmefield veterinary practice in Brayton, where nurse Emma Snowdon described their condition as "horrendous."

Karen Schultz, who runs a foster home greyhound rescue service at Brackenholme, near Selby, said 97 per cent of dogs she had taken in had been abandoned because they were no longer fast enough to race.

Actress Annette Crosby, who plays Victor Meldrew's wife in TV's One Foot In The Grave, has taken in three rescue greyhounds, and has launched a national campaign to protect them. She told the Evening Press today she had sent a questionnaire to over 200 dog wardens and animal charities, and was calling for an independent inquiry. Miss Crosby said: "About 10,000 greyhounds are surplus to requirements every year - it's a scandal."

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