A STARVING dog that had tried to eat his own tail after he was left locked in a kennel in the backyard of a property is now looking for a home in West Yorkshire.

Rodney, a lurcher-type cross, is not thought to have lived in a house before and had been left behind when his owner had moved out of a property in Liverpool.

He was found by an estate agent who had attended the address along with the police and local council to carry out an eviction.

Now the RSPCA Leeds, Wakefield and district branch are looking to rehome him after successfully training the dog who had to have his tail amputated.

The four-year-old was found emaciated and left in a kennel which was soaking wet.

It was also found he had also chewed part of his tail – possibly through the stress of being left alone for days on end.

The estate agent reported the matter to the RSPCA and animal rescuer, Inspector Pamela Bird, rushed Rodney to the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital.

His bones were protruding and his tail had also been left badly damaged as a result of him biting it.

He also had sores on his legs caused by laying down in the damp kennel.

It was discovered that Rodney had been left in the kennel alone for at least three weeks – with visits from his owner to feed him taking place just every few days.

Rodney's tail was so damaged it had to be amputated halfway in an operation carried out by the RSPCA hospital – but in spite all he has been through he still has the capacity to wag it.

Now he does so at almost every opportunity at the RSPCA Leeds, Wakefield and district branch where he enjoys a much happier life and is loved by staff.

Gena Cameron, branch administer, said: “Rodney is full of life and ready for his forever home. He now has half a tail but still enthusiastically wags it.

“He is a lovable lad who loves nothing more than a head tickle - staff love to walk him as he loves everyone he meets and gets excited about the little things in life.

“In his past life he was kept outside so has found it a little hard to adjust to a home environment but staff here have been working with him.

“He will need someone who can help him learn about living inside so he gets used to it building up slowly the time he is left alone.”

Gena said due to his size and bouncy nature he would prefer home with children aged over 16 and due to his breed with no cats or small furries.

She also he would also prefer to be the only dog in the house to get all the attention and will need to live in a 45-mile radius of the branch due to current Covid restrictions.

Pamela added: “The owner of Rodney was traced and he agreed to hand the dog into our care.

“He said he had fallen on hard times and was working away so he would come back and feed him every couple of days but the rest of the time he was left in his kennel alone and was clearly emaciated and left in dirty conditions.

“He’s such an affectionate dog who deserves the best of homes and has plenty of love to give.”

Anyone interested in re-homing Rodney can apply by visiting https://www.rspcaleedsandwakefield.org.uk/find-a-pet/pet/rodney/