Wulfra is improving but is still weak

The emaciated dog found close to death by mountain rescuers a week ago is making progress, his carer said.

But Helen Coates of The Dog People in the Yorkshire Dales village of Grassington, said the animal, christened Wulfra after his rescue, is not out of the woods yet.

The lurcher-saluki cross was stretchered from Buckden Pike by the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association after being spotted by a passing walker.

He was named Wulfra, a rearrangement of the rescue team’s acronym, by those looking after him.

Ms Coates said the dog is making slow, steady progress. She said: “The vet is pleased with his progress but is hesitant to say that he’s on the mend.

“He has a long way to go yet.

“He is standing for longer, walking outside to toilet, eating and drinking well. He has put on about half a kilo a day since he’s been at the vet.

Wulfra has a broken leg

“He is still very weak, though.

“Tony [the vet] is hopeful that, if he continues to make this kind of progress, the operation on his leg will be done in about a week.

“He’s hoping to be able to plate it and not amputate, fingers crossed.”

Ms Coates thanked grough’s readers for their concern and also thanked everyone who had donated cash to help his treatment, and had sent their best wishes.

Wufra was found to have a broken leg after UWFRA members stretchered him more than a mile from the summit of the 690m (2,264ft) hill.

Team leader Andy Jackson said the animal had probably been at the remote spot at least two days as the grass underneath him had started to die.