A couple are desperately raising money to pay for surgery to let their beloved dog Maisie walk again.

Billie-Joe Ingrams, 24 and Sophie Millard, 21 adopted the 14-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier in 2018, with Maisie quickly becoming part of the family.

However, last week when Maisie jumped off the couple’s bed and hurt herself after landing badly - gradually losing the ability to use her legs.

Billie-Joe, a qualified teacher from Glynde Close, Newhaven, said: “We were initially shocked and she got progressively worse.

“As the days progressed, she lost the full capability of her legs so we have to carry her everywhere. We’re feeding her baby food, as she won’t eat massive solids, and we’re giving her water from a bowl we have to bring to her.

Vets from the PDSA told the couple that Maisie had a suspected slipped disk or spinal bleed.

The Argus: Billie-Joe said, despite her age, Maisie remains young at heartBillie-Joe said, despite her age, Maisie remains young at heart

While there is a chance her injury could heal with time, there is no guarantee, and surgery for Maisie would cost in excess of £4,500, with an MRI alone costing more than £400.

Billie-Joe added: “My heart dropped into my throat and I couldn’t believe it. People who pay rent and other bills don’t really have that money on the spot.

“Neither of us have slept for the last week - we’ve been constantly crying.”

Billie-Joe said that, despite her age, Maisie is young at heart and he wants her to be able to be as active as she once was.

The Argus: Maisie, the 14 year old Staffordshire Bull Terrier, needs £6,500 for surgeryMaisie, the 14 year old Staffordshire Bull Terrier, needs £6,500 for surgery

He said: “When we first met her, she was so full of life and she had a lot of love to give. It was love at first sight - we just knew she’d be our baby.

"Even a couple days before the accident, she was still chasing her tail!”

The couple are hoping to raise £6,500, with any extra funds they do not need being donated to a pet charity. With just over £600 raised in the first few days of their GoFundMe campaign, Billie-Joe has been overwhelmed by the response.

“It has warmed my heart to see that people do care and do want to help.

“The money would mean the comfort of knowing our baby’s going to have her quality of life back. It would mean knowing that we have a member of our family back with us doing everything she enjoys , and not living a lower quality of life that she’s being forced to do at the moment.”

“Even if we made it to £1,500, we can put in a payment plan, so knowing that we’re a third of the way to that plan, it makes me happy because I might be able to get Maisie walking again.”

You can donate to the campaign at www.gofundme.com/f/u7n2wq-help-maisie-walk-again