AssetID: 53583586
Headline: RAW VIDEO: South Yorkshire's Skinniest Dog Gets New Chance At Life
Caption: A dog which was the skinniest a South Yorkshire RSPCA rescuer had ever come across during his 16 year career has undergone an amazing transformation thanks to carers and his new owners. Luca was barely alive when he was found in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, in April, and was described at the time as “a walking skeleton”. He also had 98% fur loss due to an untreated skin condition and had a broken tail bone which was so badly infected part of it had rotted completely off. South Yorkshire police officers came across the distressed and neglected dog in Huddersfield Road, Barnsley, on Thursday 20 April and alerted the RSPCA. The lurcher cross was terrified and could barely move as he was so weak. RSPCA inspector Ben Cottle-Shaw was sent to collect the pet and although he has come across many awful cases of neglect in his career he said this was the most emaciated dog he had seen which was still alive. Ben said: “I was really shocked when I first saw him. He was the thinnest dog that I had ever seen which was still alive and on top of this he had an awful untreated skin condition which meant he was constantly scratching and had left him almost completely bald. “I could tell by his demeanour and look in his eyes Luca had given up on life as he was so broken and withdrawn. It was heartbreaking to see. “I rushed him for veterinary treatment and was worried he might not even make the short journey for emergency treatment. But once there, he was such a friendly little boy despite being obviously starving and suffering from a horrific case of sarcoptic mange.” At the vet’s a bandage which had been placed around the tip of his tail was removed and it was found his tail bone was broken and he had been left with an open wound. The wound had become so infected that the end of the tail dropped off as the bandage was taken off. A microchip revealed he was originally called Lucas but his ownership details had not been kept up-to-date and so his owner could not be traced. After receiving emergency veterinary treatment he was transferred into the care of the RSPCA Felledge Centre in County Durham where he was given his new name and against the odds he made a remarkable recovery. His skin condition was treated and he was nursed back to a healthy weight. Then, just a few weeks into his rehabilitation, Luca was put up for adoption and is now loving life with new owners David Hagan (67) and his wife Gillian and enjoys regular visits from their granddaughter Freya Blenkiron (16, pictured). David said: “We had a lurcher called Elsa who sadly passed away about four weeks before we came across Luca. We saw he was looking for a home and he just seemed such a sweetheart we couldn’t wait to meet him. “We went to see him at Felledge and we just fell in love - he is such a lovely boy. At the time we didn't know the circumstances of how he was found but we have since discovered what had happened to him. “I found the pictures of him when he was found so very hard to look at. Luca now has a beautiful, shiny coat now and has increased his weight. He loves running around in the fields nearby and generally just enjoys all the fuss and attention we give him. He really is a little star and just such a happy boy. You wouldn’t really be able to tell he had such a terrible experience as he is so trusting and loving.” Luka Atkinson, animal centre deputy manager, said: “He is such a sweetheart and we are delighted that Luca is now living his best life with David and Gillian. All the staff loved him and so it is nice to see his happy ending.” South Yorkshire Police were delighted when they were told about Luca’s new home thanks to their quick intervention and compassion. PC Mark Winter, based in Barnsley, said: “I will never forget the way that Luca looked back at me after we handed him over to the RSPCA as if to say ‘thank you’. “My colleagues, PCs Malloy, Gillott, Goodwin and Child, had found him freezing cold and tied to a lamppost while working their night shift and knew they needed to act fast to save his life. “They rushed him to a vet where he received an initial treatment of steroids, antibiotics and pain relief. He was then taken back to the police station and my colleagues knew that, as I had been a wildlife crime officer for many years, I would have the RSPCA on speed dial so I immediately reported the incident. “I turned up at the office with my own dog’s fluffy bed, a warm blanket and dog food. As I walked into the station, the mere sight of Luca and the suffering he had endured was heartbreaking. “His eyes told a story of a life of nothing but neglect and cruelty and as I placed him on the bed and wrapped him up, he curled up and almost smiled. He had clearly never known such comfort. “I sat with him until Ben from the RSPCA arrived, stroking his head and telling him from now on his life would be the best. To hear that he has made a full recovery and is with a family that will always love and cherish him is amazing. I bet he is one spoilt boy. “He will always hold a special place in our hearts and office and a photo of him, now looking healthy and happy, is on our wall.” Ben was unable to trace the person responsible for dumping Luca and says he is still keen to hear from anyone with information. He said: “I was terrified he wasn’t going to survive to see the vet who he so desperately needed treatment from - but he is a fighter and staff at Felledge did an incredible job to bring him back to the boy he now is and living a great life with his new family.”
Keywords: dog,rspca,feature,animals,pets,skinny,photo,video
PersonInImage: