Abused dog with skull fractures finally finds forever home

By Ed Chatterton

A battered and "broken" dog left with skull fractures and multiple injuries after being horrifically abused has now found a loving new home following a heartwarming transformation.

Nelson the Doberman was discovered terrified and trembling after RSPCA officers were called to his former home following reports a man had been trying to strangle a dog.

Shocking photos show how he suffered severe head injuries, including two skull fractures and a catalog of other severe wounds at the hands of his cruel owner back in 2024.

He was taken to the animal charity's RSPCA Finsbury Park Animal Hospital in London where he spent more than a year undergoing treatment and rehabilitation.

The plucky pooch has since made a remarkable recovery and is now said to be loving life in his forever home with Donna Batchelor and her son Ben in Chelmsford, Essex.

Donna said: "I had recently lost my previous dog and also lost my husband so I was down, obviously.

"My daughter Sophie Berry saw Nelson on the RSPCA website and saw he had had it rough, which appealed to her - and the fact we could help - and she knew it would appeal to me.

"So we contacted the branch and went to see him.

"We knew about the fact he'd had a bad start and had been around violence but I am comfortable with big dogs and wanted to help him.

"When I first saw him I just bonded instantly - he was so gentle and sweet natured. He was just adorable and wanted love.

"He is still a bit nervous due to what he went through before his rescue. Some things trigger him like sirens, even children screaming on TV, so we are trying to get him used to them.

"I have sat with him at the back of the park where he can hear children playing to help him get used to the noises.

"Some movements scare him, like once when I went to pick up a slipper he was so scared he wet himself. He obviously went through a lot of trauma but he is getting better.

"On walks he is lovely and he makes me feel safe, so I feel better about getting out and about more - and I make him feel safe now too, so we are a team.

"He loves his walks and just being funny, he makes us laugh a lot."

Ben, 28, said: "It was love at first sight when we went to see Nelson and he bonded with us so well.

"It did take him a bit of settling in at first when we brought him home, and he was a bit anxious due to his past, but now he is a completely different dog who has really come out of himself and connected so well with us.

"He loves everyone who comes to our house and is such a happy dog and a real sweetheart.

"He loves sleeping on my mum's bed and has been a great comfort to her. He is just a brilliant addition to the family."

RSPCA Inspector Shahnaz Ahmad first discovered Nelson at the property in London after attending with police while responding to concerns for his welfare.

She said: "Nelson was clearly terrified of the owner. When I was looking through the letterbox before he arrived he was wagging his tail towards me.

"As soon as the man went through the door he had taken himself to the back of the hallway and was shaking and cowering.

"I have not seen any dog so terrified as this. As well as the obvious injuries across his body he just looked broken - it was awful.

"I knew I had to get him emergency vet treatment and fortunately - although he was terrified - he still had enough trust for me to get him out.

"He didn't seem frightened of me, and he walked nicely to my van."

Nelson was still shaking with fear when RSPCA vet, Eleanor Myerscough, tried to examine him. In the end, she decided it would be kindest to sedate him, so she could x-ray him.

During the examination she found two fractures on his skull - one on the top of his head and another on his cheekbone. There were further multiple non-accidental injuries all over his body, including down his spine.

The friendly dog was given immediate pain relief and medication to help with his anxiety and plenty of rest and TLC to help him recover.

He was then transferred into the care of the RSPCA's Essex South, Southend and District Branch where he was rehabilitated over the next 12 months.

Mette Summers, rehoming manager at the branch said: "We worked with Nelson as he obviously had anxiety issues from what had happened to him before.

"He had lived in fear and had never known the real world, so noises would scare him but he loved people - he just needed a moment to know them - and he was good with other dogs.

"We knew he needed a special home with owners who would help work with his anxiety, and when Donna and her son Ben came to visit we knew how committed they were to helping Nelson.

"I am just so happy for him - he needed a special and understanding home and he really has landed on his feet.

"His new family are so supportive of Nelson and his needs. They just love the goofball he is and he looks to be so happy and settled."

At a court hearing last year, a man was found guilty of four offenses under the Animal Welfare Act, including inflicting blunt force trauma on Nelson, and was disqualified from keeping all animals for five years.

He was also sentenced to 20 weeks' imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.

Latest figures by the RSPCA have revealed a 64% increase in summer cruelty to animals over the last five years.