Most "severely neglected dog in 30 years" in Leeds finds forever home

A dog who staff at Dogs Trust Leeds said was the worst case of neglect they had seen in over 30 years of caring for dogs, finally has his new forever home.

Trooper's new owners are former soldier Allan Bottomley and his wife, Sandy, from Halifax who say they wanted to give the six-year-old the home he deserved after hearing about the heart-breaking ordeal he’d been through.

Allan says: “When we heard his story, Sandy had tears rolling down her face and I was so angry. We have had four rescue dogs in the past and we just knew we wanted to look after him and help him recover from everything he had been through.”

Trooper was carried into the York Road rehoming centre by the dog warden after being found on the streets of Leeds in June. He was unable to walk as his leg was fused to his ear and his fur was so overgrown and matted it had pulled off the skin around his eyes. He had to be put under so that the vet could shave off the matted fur all over his body. He was also on a drip for three days, getting painkillers and treatment for his damaged skin, eyes and ears.

His condition was so bad that staff at the rehoming centre didn't think he'd make it, and they originally called him Soldier.

Amanda Sands, Dogs Trust Leeds manager, says: “We had an incredible number of people get in touch with us wanting to offer him a home but he needed a quiet, adult only home with patient, experienced owners who were around all the time and could help build his confidence and trust after everything he’d been through.

“Allan and Sandy ticked all the boxes and we’re absolutely delighted that he is now surround by love and all the home comforts he deserves.”

Trooper now enjoys several walks a day, plays in the garden of his Halifax home, has regained weight and is his owners say he's generally a happy dog.

Allan says: “We called him Trooper as he had really been through the wars but you wouldn’t really know it to look at him now! He is marvellous. He is learning to play which is wonderful to see and he has really giddy moments, which is fantastic. Understandably he doesn’t like to be left on his own so there is always someone with him and he doesn’t like too much fuss, so when he wants peace and quiet he pops off to one of his two beds!

“When we went along to Dogs Trust Leeds we didn’t know if we would be the right family for him but luckily we were. A dog is for life and Trooper is now definitely very much a part of our family. We can’t imagine life without him.”