A BRAVE miracle dog has bounced back from a deadly disease but the picture for neglected animals has never been bleaker says Worcestershire's worried dog warden.

Barney, who was picked up on the streets in Worcester, has recovered from the potentially deadly disease Parvo, one of only 5 per cent of dogs who survive it.

However, the latest shocking figures show that while Barney was lucky, the county remains in the grip of an epidemic of cruelty and neglect.

Barney is now being cared for in at Worcestershire Animal Rescue Centre in Malvern after he was picked up in Worcester on Saturday, October 25. The eight month old Staffordshire bull terrier cross pup had Parvo which causes bloody diarrhoea, while his coat was riddled with fleas and he had very poor skin. His troubled life has not spoiled his good nature and he is described by both a dog warden and an animal welfare co-ordinator as affectionate and good with other dogs. He is now looking for a 'forever' home where he can put his ordeal behind him after beating the odds by staying alive.

Pip Singleton, dog warden and animal welfare officer for Worcestershire Regulatory Services, said: "He's clear of Parvo and he will get better without any long term effects. We're very lucky because the prognosis for Parvo is very poor - 95 per cent will die. He is a lovely, lovely character, so full of life, bouncy and bubbly."

Fifi, who was brought in at around same time as Barney, had hair was so matted she could not seem but is also thriving under the care of a charity called Angels Animal Rescue.

However, dog warden Pip Singleton said things in Worcestershire were as bad as she had ever seen them in 20 years as a dog warden with 16 abandoned dogs placed in kennels since Thursday. Three weeks ago there were nine dogs in one vets in Worcestershire which is also a first.

Mrs Singleton said one dog had a horrific mammary tumour and one had a paw skin complaint after being on the run for three weeks. Other cases include an underweight Staffordshire bull terrier and a cocker spaniel with a dirty, smelly coat.

She said: "This is not a one-off. It is happening all the time. It is on the increase - massively. It is getting worse. It's getting out of hand. If it's this bad now, what are we going to do at Christmas? How are we going to finance all these vets bills? I have been doing this for 20 years and I have never had the volume of stray dogs we're picking up with potential welfare and ill-treatment and and cruelty issues. I have never had nine dogs in one week in one vets. They were all very poorly. It really is horrendous and it's happening all the time. It is becoming a problem for resources, time, money, management and rescue places. How do you fund rescue places for these gorgeous, lovely dogs?"

All the money to provide the care comes from taxpayers and Miss Singleton is concerned about what will happen if the pressure grows on the public purse.

To report a case of cruelty or if you need help rehoming your pet call the dog warden service on 01905 822799.