THESE shocking pictures show a tiny abandoned dog which became unrecognisable with hair so badly matted that it peeled the skin off his face.
The little lhasa apso, now named Soldier, was rescued by a dog warden who found him wandering the streets of Leeds in West Yorkshire.
Shocked rescuers believe the badly neglected six-year-old canine had not been groomed in months.
Amanda Sands, who manages the Dogs Trust Leeds re-homing centre which looked after the poor animal, said: "In 30 years of working at Dogs Trust I have never seen anything so horrific and heartbreaking.
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"He wasn't recognisable as a dog, it was unbelievable.
"We really didn't know if he was going to make it but we are relieved to say that he has started to eat and we are hoping that he will continue to improve, but it is very early days."
Warden Harriet Chaplin alerted the RSPCA and rushed the pup to a local vet for urgent treatment on June 3 this year.
She said: "The dog was matted like no dog I had ever seen before.
"The matts were so bad they were pulling his skin off around the eye and his front leg was matted to his ear.
"I believe he was either dumped in this area or has come from a home nearby as I don't think he could have wandered far in this state."
Dogs Trust Leeds had the delicate task of removing the hair to alleviate the pain.
Vets anaesthetised the mutt to shave the coat and kept him in for three days.
RSPCA chief inspector Heidi Jenner said: "This poor dog must have been left without any grooming for months to get into such a state.
"I can easily say this is the worst case of matted fur that I've ever seen.
"When you first see the pictures of little Soldier you can't even tell he's a dog, let alone what breed he is.
"To allow an animal to get into this condition is absolutely shocking - there is no excuse for it."
Dogs Trust Leeds took care of the pooch for several days before he was taken in by a fosterer.
The RSPCA asked anyone with information on the dog's past or previous owners to contact them on 0300 123 8018.
Shocking footage today has emerged showing a teenage girl swinging around a puppy around by its neck in Devon, while a US couple has pleaded guilty to hoarding more than 170 Yorkshire terriers and Yorkie mixes in filthy conditions.
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