A BALD dog– dressed in a festive jumper– was found alone and freezing in the backyard of a property on New Year’s Day.

The RSPCA had received a call from a concerned neighbour who heard the dog barking at the property in the New Coundon area of Bishop Auckland, early on January 1.

The neighbour knew the owners of the property did not have a dog and were away on holiday so raised the alarm.

Inspector Lucy Hoehne collected the dog, thought to be aged at least eight, at 8am that day after finding her shaking and terrified in the garden. She was wearingt a jumper from B&M which has a distinctive snowman pattern.

She named the female terrier Ducky, after the dinosaur in Land Before Time due to her tough skin.

She said: “This poor dog, her whole back end and legs are totally bald. She isn’t microchipped although her weight appears to be healthy so I can only think she must have been dumped. It’s likely she had been at the property some hours and it was an extremely cold night; being New Year’s Eve there were fireworks being let off– she must have been so terrified."

The RSCPA is now looking after Ducky and treating her for a skin condition. The charity has appealed to anyone who recognises Ducky and the jumper to call them on 0300-1238018.