Family's desperate plea for help to save paralysed dog Ozzy

Ozzy was hurt while running in the garden, but his family – the O'Brien's – have no idea how he was left with such devastating injuries.

The four-year-old Dogue de Bordeaux has been a beloved companion for 11-year-old Jordan O'Brien – who has severe autism.

Jordan's mother Keeley said despite Ozzy being insured, they can only claim £1,000 of treatment. But their pup may need spinal surgery costing £15,000.

She has launched a crowdfunding page in a desperate bid to raise any amount they can to help their pet.

But if they cannot raise the funds needed, Keeley said the kindest thing to do would be to put Ozzy to sleep – something they would do anything to avoid.

Keeley, a teaching assistant from Wednesbury, said: "He was bought as a birthday present for my autistic son Jordan, as a way of alleviating some of his severe anxieties. Ozzy has been an absolute god send in Jordan’s life and they are the best of friends.

"Sadly, whilst out in the garden, Ozzy let out an almighty howl and collapsed on to the floor. He has completely lost all use and feeling in his back legs and can no longer walk or feel touch to the lower part of his body. Due to his size, he is unable to move himself around and is now reliant on us to help him to move.

"After rushing him to the vets, we are devastated to have found out that he will need an MRI scan that costs £4,000 followed by surgery that can be in excess of £15,000. This is money that we just do not have."

The family have bought Ozzy a harness so they can help him outside to the bathroom – and while Keeley and husband Craig are at work and Jordan and sister Keira are at school, Keeley's father comes round to look after Ozzy in the day so that he has round-the-clock care.

Keeley added: "In a desperate bid to save our gorgeous boy and to keep my son Jordan from having to go through the awful trauma of saying goodbye to Ozzy, this page has been set up to give us hope that we do not have to put him to sleep.

He is an integral part of our family and to have to put him to sleep due to not having enough money for surgery, would leave us with broken hearts.

"He is still trying to nibble our fingers when being fussed, has tried to eat a tissue that was dropped on the floor in front of him and is desperately trying to wag his tail, with little to no movement. He is still the playful pooch that we know he is but is now stuck in this awful situation."

Keeley added that Ozzy was getting some of the feeling returning in one of his back legs – which could mean good news for the hound.

She said if one his legs regained strength, he could have the other leg amputated and live a long, healthy life.

Visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/raisingmoneyforozzy to donate.