A DOG so underweight and ill that dog wardens feared it would not survive has made a full recovery and has now found a loving new home.

The emaciated Labrador, which was picked up by Hartlepool Council’s dog warden service, has been nursed back to full health.

Buster weighed just 15.55kg when he arrived at the Stray Aid kennels at Coxhoe in May and subsequent tests revealed raised liver enzymes in his blood, an indication that his condition was rapidly becoming life-threatening.

The dog was riddled with internal parasites and its ribs could clearly be seen protruding through its hair when it was rescued.

But less than two months later he is back to his boisterous best and has found a new home thanks to the dedicated care provided by staff at Stray Aid.

The independent registered charity has a contract to take the dogs collected by the local authority’s dog warden service.

Sue Bielby, the charity's director, said: “We treated Buster for internal parasites and started him on a diet of turkey and rice dry food mixed with a small amount of tinned meat to make it more palatable. We didn’t have to worry, he loved it.

“There is always a danger with dogs in such a poor condition that they eat too much too soon, so we fed Buster small amounts every two hours until we were confident his body, especially his liver, could cope.

“Thankfully, he put on 2kg in just the first 24 hours and a further 5kg in the next week. He is now fed the dry food twice a day and is back to full health.”

Stray Aid was founded in 2006 by Mrs Bielby, a vet, and her husband John with the primary aim of preventing the euthanasia of healthy strays, providing them with a safe and secure environment until they can be re-homed.

Alison Carberry from the council’s dog warden service said: “We were alerted to Buster by a concerned member of the public. The amazing turnaround in his condition in just a few weeks reflects the exceptional quality of care provided by Stray Aid.”

Buster may have been re-homed but there is another 20 dogs looking for the right person to give them a home.

Anyone interested in adopting a dog or simply wanting more information from Stray Aid should call 0300 999 4247. The charity would also welcome donations of cash and dog food to enable it to continue and expand its work.

  • If you know of any stray dogs in the area contact Hartlepool Council’s Dog Warden Service during normal office hours on 01429-523333.
  • Evening and weekend calls will be directed to the Stray Aid number.
  • Alternatively you can visit strayaid.org.uk/rehomeadog or hartlepool.gov.uk/info/20204/dogs for further information.