The story of an abandoned puppy who was beaten so badly that he had to have his leg amputated has prompted donations of almost £18,000 for charity after users read about it on the internet . Ralf , owned by Sue Utley , 66 , from Sheffield , South Yorkshire has over 1,300 Facebook friends and his story has raised the substantial sum for Rain Rescue , the charity that rescued him . He was found on Christmas Eve , 2012 , savagely kicked and discovered dumped in the street , crying in agony . Since having his leg amputated , little Ralf has become an internet sensation and raised around £18k for the charity that saved his life , Rain Rescue . A vet gave two heartbreaking options – the pup should either be put down or face a gruelling leg amputation . Experts could n't be sure that the little dog would adapt to having just three legs . But he was given the chance , and today Ralf is an internet star who has even saved other pooches on doggie death row . Owner Sue says : 'Ralf was just four months old when he was found dumped in the street in Rotherham by a volunteer from Rain Rescue , a local dog charity . ' I 'd been a dog foster carer for them and offered to take him in for a while . The poor lad was in a bad way , crying in pain from an injury to his front leg . Born fighter : Rain Rescue paid for Ralf to have his leg amputated from the knee down , but vets could n't say how he would cope with life on three legs . Brutal : Ralf had been kicked so badly that it had shattered his left elbow and dislocated his right shoulder . 'Ralf had been kicked which had shattered his left elbow and dislocated his right shoulder . ' I could n't believe someone would hurt a puppy . The vet 's news was stark - put him to sleep or operate . ' Rain Rescue paid for Ralf to have his leg amputated from the knee down , but no-one really knew how he would cope with life on three legs . Mrs Utley said : ' I knew that Ralf would try to nibble at his stitches , so that day I bought him a baby 's t-shirt to wear , meaning his stump would be covered up . ' She and her husband Pete , 67 , found it tough watching Ralf struggling to walk . 'It took him ages to realise his old leg had been removed and he was constantly falling over . Eventually this caused a haematoma in his stump , ' she says . Sadly the vet then had to remove his shoulder , but luckily Ralf 's feisty spirit pulled him through and Mrs Utley was smitten . Sue Utley fostered Ralf and decided to set up a Facebook page in his name , uploading photos and sharing his escapades with his now 1,300 friends . Little charmer : Sue writes Ralf 's Facebook updates in a broad Yorkshire accent allowing his mischievous character to shine through . 'Fostering was supposed to be short term but as people offered to adopt him I just could n't bear to let him go , ' she said . 'He was such a character , always hiding things and getting up to mischief . ' She decided to set up a Facebook page in Ralf 's name , uploading photos and sharing his escapades . She wrote Ralf 's updates in a broad Yorkshire accent and his personality shone through . 'Helped me mam with the dishes today , ' he barked . 'She were n't happy though , shouted at me to get out the dishwasher and stop lickin ' the plates . ' She also uploaded photographs of Ralf wearing his tiny t-shirts . As he grew , so did his collection . She said : 'He had stripy ones , Superman ones , sailor boy ones . 'His Facebook friends loved seeing what he was wearing every day . Ralf is now raising money for the charity Rain Rescue and helping save the lives of other animals . 'Many of these dogs ( in local dog pounds ) are traumatised , injured , or sick and needing vet treatment , ' says Sue , 'But thanks to Ralf and Rain Rescue they 're alive . ' 'Soon he was boasting nearly 2,000 friends and I decided to put his popularity to use and get him his own JustGiving page , meaning people could leave donations for Rain Rescue . ' To date , Ralf has raised nearly £18,000 and Mrs Utley could not be prouder . 'Ralf had been left to die on the streets , and now he 's helping save the lives of other animals , ' she said . 'He 's a little hero . He may hobble about on three legs , but to me he 's just perfect . 'He 's saved the lives of dogs in death row who are in the local pounds , the ones that are due to be put to sleep . 'Many of these dogs are traumatised , injured , or sick and needing vet treatment . 'But thanks to Ralf and Rain Rescue they 're alive . ' To donate visit : http : //www.justgiving.com/Ralf-Rain .
Ralf was reportedly abandoned in Rotherham , Yorks on Christmas Eve , 2010 . He was so badly beaten that the vet suggested putting him down . Ralf 's spinal amputation operation was paid for by Rain ##hound dogs charity . He has now raised nearly £ ##500 for the charity that helps other dogs in need .