Incredible transformation of 'skinniest dog RSPCA inspector had ever seen'

Luca the lurcher cross was described as a 'walking skeleton' when he was found by police after being tied to a lamppost in Barnsley, South Yorks, last April. He also had 98 per cent 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.

The 'barely alive' pooch was terrified and could barely move as he was so weak, the RSPCA said. The animal charity's inspector Ben Cottle-Shaw, who was sent to collect him, said Luca was the most emaciated dog he had seen which was still alive.

He said: "I was really shocked when I first saw him. He was the thinnest dog that I had ever seen which was still alive. I could tell by his demeanour and look in his eyes Luca had given up on life as he was so broken and withdrawn.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."

Ben rushed Luca for veterinary treatment and was so worried about his condition, feared the dog wouldn't even last the journey. A bandage which had been placed around the tip of his tail was removed at the vets 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 being transferred to the care of the RSPCA Felledge Centre in County Durham, he was given his new name and made a remarkable recovery.

Stunning photographs show his transformation after his skin condition was treated and he was nursed back to a healthy weight.

After being put up for adoption, Luca is loving life with new owners David Hagan, 67, and his wife Gillian and enjoys visits from their granddaughter Freya Blenkiron, 16.

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."

PC Mark Winter of South Yorkshire Police, who helped nurse Luca back to health at the police station, said a photo of a healthy Luca takes pride of place on his wall.

He said: "I turned up at the office with my own dog's fluffy bed, a warm blanket and dog food. 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 but says he is still keen to hear from anyone with information.

He added: "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."