A woman who used to run a dog rescue centre is appealing for help to find £6,000 needed for a hip replacement for her Spanish mastiff cross.

Cambs Times: Grippa's fund raising appealGrippa's fund raising appeal (Image: Archant)

The dog, which she rescued from the streets of Spain where he was dumped as a puppy almost two years ago, says unless he gets the operation he will need to be put down.

Pam Thompson has Tweeted dog lovers Simon Cowell and Paul O’Grady asking for help and has now set up a Just Giving page, which already has £900, to help find the money needed for the vet bill.

“He is the friendliest dog you could wish to meet, called Grippa because he grips my hand in his mouth to walk me about.

“He has no muscle tone in one of his legs, he has no hip socket on one side and is having to take tramadol for the pain.”

Cambs Times: Grippa's fund raising appealGrippa's fund raising appeal (Image: Archant)

She spotted Grippa on a Spanish rescue site where his foster carer assured her he was well and just had a bit of a limp.

As time progressed, however, and he grew, his limp got worse and has now reached a point where he can’t put any weight on the bad leg.

He cannot sit and either stands or lies down, she said.

“Because it is a pre-existing condition the insurance doesn’t cover it. I’m a very proud woman and am only asking for help in desperation, I hate to do it, but hate the thought more of having to have such a kind, friendly dog put down,” she said.

Pam used to run Molly’s Ark at Tydd St Giles for 10 years but gave up when it became too much.

“I still run a pet advice line as I am an animal behaviourist - I would rather know a pet is being kept than somebody getting rid of it just because of problems that they could have solved,” she said.

To help visit Just Giving and search Grippasfund or visit the Grippasfund Facebook page.