PICTURE SPECIAL: Neglected dog Rolo gets happy ending

Rolo the Chocolate labrador currently being cared for by Sue Smith in Normanton on the Wolds.

A dog which was found in a horrific state wandering the streets of Mansfield will finally get a happy ending with new owners.

Rolo, the chocolate Labrador, was in a ‘poor condition’ with a tumour ‘the size of a coke can’ when the East Midlands Labrador Rescue Centre, based in Nottinghamshire, took him in.

The centre raised money to get him vet treatment, put him in a care home and have now found him a new owner.

Rolo will be taken to his new home in the Lake District this week, after a woman called the centre when she read his story on Facebook

Rolo the Chocolate labrador with Wendy Hopewell, head volunteer at the East Midlands Labrador Rescue Centre

Wendy Hopewell, head volunteer at the rescue centre, said this the “best outcome”.

She said: “The new owner is obviously going to give him a fabulous life.

“She has got time to give Rolo her full support and is happy to take him on whether he’s got two weeks or two years left to live.

“For somebody to open up their heart for Rolo is just lovely - I know he is going to be totally loved.”

Wendy added that Sue, who is currently looking after the dog, will be ‘heartbroken’ to see him leave.

“Sue has done an amazing job - he has improved so much since she has been caring for him in the last few weeks.”

Rolo, who is around eight years old, was first taken in by Mansfield District Council when he was found wandering the fields at Garibaldi College in Forest Town.

He was found by a caretaker, who told the Labrador rescue centre he was “absolutely starving” and the tumour on his neck was “very messy”.

The centre paid for Rolo to have the tumour removed.

He still has a few more stitches to be removed and is on a course of antibiotics.

The council is also reviewing its dog control service and changes are being put in place toto improve communication between overnight kennels, the rescue centre and the council - following this rare case of a dog in such poor condition.

A council spokesman said this includes supplying regular photographs of dogs that have injuries or illness.