Tiny Hockney brought back from the brink

A TINY puppy who weighed less than a bag of sugar when he was found dumped in a cardboard box in a West Yorkshire field has been brought back to full health.

The Terrier Cross, which was only weeks old, was left in a field in Castleford without food, water or a blanket to keep warm earlier this month. He weighed less than one kilogram and was infected with worms and a skin disease mange, caused by parasitic mites.

He was also too young to be away from his mother as the usual advice is that puppies must be at least eight weeks old before they are removed from her care.

It was so cold that the vets that treated him said he would have died if he was left any longer.

A Dogs Trust member found the puppy, who has now been nicknamed Hockney.

Assistant manager at Dogs Trust Leeds, Emma Cooper, who is helping care for Hockney, said: “Puppies of this age shouldn’t be away from their mum, let alone left to fend for themselves in a field. He was immediately seen by a vet after being rescued who said he wouldn’t have survived much longer as he was so cold.

“He hadn’t even been left with a blanket.

“We will be looking after him for a few weeks until he has fully recovered and then we will be looking for a wonderful forever home for him where he will continue to get all the love he deserves and needs to grow into a happy, healthy adult dog.”