The new owners of a German Shepherd who was given life-saving CPR by vets after being found emaciated and ‘near death’ at her home in Nelson have spoken of the joy she has brought into their lives.

Four-year-old Bella was shaking and unresponsive when she was rescued from the property by the RSPCA and rushed for emergency treatment.

The charity’s rescuers, who discovered her collapsed in a dark room lying in urine and faeces, weren't sure whether she was dead or alive, but she is now thriving in her new home with her loving ‘parents’.

Bella was rushed to Vets for Pets in Colne by RSPCA Deputy Chief Inspector Jess Pierce, where she was treated immediately, before being transported to Vets Now in Bury to be monitored overnight at their 24-hour emergency hospital.

Four-year-old Bella was shaking and unresponsive when she was rescued from a property in Nelson by the RSPCA and rushed for emergency treatment

placeholder image — Four-year-old Bella was shaking and unresponsive when she was rescued from a property in Nelson by the RSPCA and rushed for emergency treatment

However on arrival, Bella’s heartbeat could no longer be detected and the team successfully resuscitated her by performing CPR. Their actions saved her life and by the following morning she was eating and able to stand up.

Bella spent a further week at the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Hospital before being moved to the charity’s Southport, Ormskirk and District Branch rehoming centre to continue her rehabilitation.

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The traumatised dog was gradually nursed back to full health and spent 229 days at the animal centre before being adopted by Dave and Jan Taylor in November last year.

The couple, who live in St Helens, and have owned German Shepherds before, described Bella as a “special dog” who is now being thoroughly spoiled.

Mr Taylor said: “She’s come on in leaps and bounds. She was fascinated by everything and anything at first. She loved watching a little bird that had nested in our eaves, it was all so new to her. When you let her out in the morning she’ll just run, it’s almost like she’s saying ‘freedom’.”

Deputy Chief Inspector Pierce said she would never forget Bella’s case: “She was near death and I think if we hadn’t found her when we did she wouldn't have survived the day.

“Some incidents stay with you and her case always will. The veterinary practices saved her life and I’m so grateful for the care and compassion they gave Bella.”