Police are appealing for information and witnesses after a dog allegedly had boiling water thrown on her while her owner was inside their house.

Patricia Crawford, 81, was at her home on Downs Road, Thurlestone when she heard her six-year-old collie, Scally-Wag, “Scally” crying in pain in the garden.

However, Mrs Crawford has two artificial knees and five screws in her left foot, leaving her with impaired mobility, so she wasn’t able to rush to Scally’s cries.

Mrs Crawford said because of this, Scally came rushing inside, so she didn’t get the chance to see who did it or what had happened.

“I feel so guilty, like I’m a sitting duck,” she said. “It’s just dreadful.”

She said she’d then felt around Scally’s collar and underneath it was searing hot, and when Mrs Crawford stroked her her fur came out, so she immediately took her to Selworthy Vets where she received “urgent treatment”.

Dr Richard Balkwill, who treated Scally’s wounds, said they were “consistent with scalding” and that the main damage was to her left flank, although her right was also considerably scalded and she had splash burns to her back.

Scally is now being treated daily with medicated cream, and is healing well, wagging tail and all.

Mrs Crawford adopted Scally-Wag when she was four years old after her original owner, Mrs Crawford’s friend, died. She said so she feels responsible that she let this happen to her.

She said she finds it hard to believe something this terrible could happen in this area, let alone Thurlestone.

Since the police posted the appeal on social media on Thursday, it has received an overwhelming response of more than 500 shares, 220 comments, and 760 reactions. Concerned members of the public have been offering to start up a GoFundMe page to help pay for Scally’s treatments. However, the vet bills have already been taken care of and it is unclear whether she’ll need further care.

Mrs Crawford is “chuffed” by the response from the public, and wants to thank everyone who has offered to help. “I want to thank everyone from Scally,” she said.

If anyone has any information or witnessed anything around the village in the afternoon of Saturday, October 20 call 101 quoting CR/102022/18.