Dog rescued from doorway in Hull finds new home
Bill's owner though he had died.
A dog who was rescued by the RSPCA in Hull from sub-zero temperatures - has now found his retirement home.
Crossbreed Bill, was left in an exposed porch back in February - after his owner thought he had died.
Bill has now found a new home - after he was adopted by a family in Acomb near York.
When Inspector Laura Barber was sent to the address following a report from a concerned member of the public she could see he was very weak - but his tail started to wag at her approach.
She recalled: “This poor fella had been left out in sub-zero temperatures as sadly his owner thought he had already died.
“I have no idea how he survived but I was so grateful to see his tail wag when I arrived.
“Bill was signed over into our care as he was in need of costly veterinary treatment. He was thin and had a huge, open sore on his back.”
The RSPCA Scarborough and district branch took in Bill and he needed emergency surgery to remove the lump on his back, as well as neutering and a dental procedure.
He was then transferred to the York, Harrogate and district branch of the RSPCA and rehabilitated by dedicated staff at the centre until he was ready to be rehomed.
This week Bill has started a new chapter in his life after he was adopted by Fiona Cunniff and her husband Paul and daughter Amelie (16), who live in Acomb, near York.
Fiona said: “We have a Jack Russell dog called Nelly who is 15 and we thought it would be nice to have a friend to help keep her young.
“Then we were looking on the RSPCA York branch website and came across Bill and although we were looking for a younger dog - we just really felt a connection.
“We went to see him with Nelly and he was so lovely and got on with us all so we were smitten.
“He is such a happy boy who wants to be with you all the time. He is very cuddly and he is happy to have his head on your knee and be stroked.
“He wasn’t house trained when he came to us but has done so well - he only had one accident and has just come on leaps and bounds.
“We thought with him being an older dog he would just plod about and sleep a lot but he has so much more energy and enthusiasm for life now - he is living it to the full and he absolutely loves his walks.”
Bill underwent a series of operations to have tumours removed from his face and body and he also had to have his spleen removed.
These were carried out by Green Vets in York where he still has regular check-ups and is said to be doing well and now weighs a healthy 19kgs.
Laura said she is delighted to see his progress and how he is now enjoying life in his forever home.
She said: “When I first went to Bill I thought he was really going to struggle to make it but I am so pleased he has thanks to fantastic team work.
“The Scarborough branch of the RSPCA carried out the initial treatment and then he was transferred to the York and Harrogate district branch for more treatment by the local vet - and staff at the centre spent time rehabilitating him so he was ready for his forever home.
“I am delighted he is doing so well and is clearly enjoying life - which is exactly what he deserves.”