Mouse survived horrific abuse before finally finding a loving home in Chorley. Now the rescue XL Bully is suffering severe leg pain, while his owners say insurance refusals have left them facing veterinary costs of more than £8,000.

A rescue XL Bully who survived horrific abuse faces being left in agony after his heartbroken owners were hit with an £8,000 vet bill – having been refused pet insurance because of his breed.

Mouse - a “beautiful, gentle boy with a big soft soul” suffered abuse before being rescued. He has since settled with a loving family in Chorley, but because of his breed, his owners say they have been unable to take out pet insurance to cover his treatment. | GoFundMe

placeholder image — Mouse - a “beautiful, gentle boy with a big soft soul” suffered abuse before being rescued. He has since settled with a loving family in Chorley, but because of his breed, his owners say they have been unable to take out pet insurance to cover his treatment. | GoFundMe

Mouse finally found happiness with a loving family in Chorley following a traumatic start in life, the Lancashire Post reported. But the gentle dog’s world has been turned upside down by worsening leg problems that have left him in severe pain.

His owner, April Monks, has already taken him to the vet several times for blood tests, antibiotics and pain relief, with further treatment still to be decided. However, because companies refused to insure Mouse over his breed, his owners face an eye-watering bill of more than £8,000 to get him the medical care he needs.

You can visit Mouse’s GoFundMe here.

Mouse, a rescue dog from Chorley, is facing a vet bill of more than £8,000 after a leg condition left him in significant pain | GoFundMe

Desperate to ease his suffering, family friend Gill W has launched a GoFundMe appeal to help cover the costs.

Gill said: “I’m setting up this fundraiser to try to help Mouse and his family. They are doing everything they possibly can for him, but they now need some help. “Mouse is the most beautiful, gentle boy, a big soft soul who has already been through far more than any dog ever should.

“Before being rescued, Mouse suffered abuse and had a very difficult start in life. Despite everything he has been through, he is an incredibly loving and gentle boy who finally found the safe, happy home he deserves.

“Now Mouse needs our help.

A rescue dog from Chorley is facing a vet bill of more than £8,000 after a leg condition left him in pain - but his owners have been told they can’t have pet insurance to cover his treatment because of his breed. | April Monks

“Because of Mouse’s breed, they haven’t been able to take out pet insurance for him, so they now need help towards the cost of his veterinary care and treatment.”

Gill added: “Right now, the most important thing is making sure money doesn’t stand in the way of getting Mouse the help he needs. After everything Mouse has survived, it is heartbreaking to see him hurting now that he has finally found a family who loves him and a life where he is safe.

“If everyone who reads his story gave even £1, together it could make an enormous difference. Every donation, however small, will go towards Mouse’s veterinary care, investigations, treatment and recovery.”

XL Bully Mouse cosying up to his Pointer sister | April Monks

Any extra cash raised beyond his medical bills will be donated to the rescue charity that originally saved Mouse, helping another vulnerable dog in need.

The appeal added: “Mouse has already survived the hardest part of his life. He shouldn’t have to spend the rest of it in pain.

“Please help us give this beautiful boy the chance to be comfortable again, to run, play and enjoy the life he deserves.”