A STUDLEY dog rescued from a life of misery has been hailed as a champion by the alternative to Crufts.
Lucy, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel, was named as the RSPCA’s Ruffs champion after an online vote.
Lisa Garner took her in from a rescue centre in March 2013 after she had come from a puppy farm where she had been used to breed pedigree puppies in horrendous conditions.
She said: “I’m over the moon that Lucy has won Ruffs. I’m like a proud parent. People have been so kind.”
When Lisa first had Lucy she was in a terrible state and was completely withdrawn.
At a tiny 3.5kg, her legs were stained with urine and she had clumps of fur missing.
But with a lot of hard work, love and patience, Lucy’s life has been transformed and she is now an ambassador for breeding dogs everywhere.
Last year she was named most heroic hound at the National Pet Show and starred in her own fund-raising calendar.
She has 3,000 followers on Facebook and raises awareness of puppy farming.