Video: Neglected matted mutt loses 2kg as vets shave off fur

Former owners dumped the white Shih Tzu called Bentley with fur that was smelly, long, tangled, and coated in oil and chemicals.

The dog was so frightened he still flinches to be touched - and won’t even allow his owner to remove his jacket after it was put on under sedation.

Rescue centre owner Kathy Trout said Bentley’s neglected state reduced her to tears, adding “he couldn’t even drink water because his own fur would poison him”.

But now the three-year-old has had a new lease of life playing with other dog and slowly regaining trust in humans.

Ms Trout, 60, who runs a dog rescue centre in Meltham, West Yorkshire, said Bentley’s owner dropped him off knowing he was in a terrible state.

The full-time volunteer said: “He came into our rescue from a member of the public on Sunday February 8. His fur was very, very long and matted like felt and all his legs were like tree trunks with chemical smelling fur.

“It looked like he was thick with oil, fuel or petrol. He really, really stank.

“Bentley was handed to me by the owner. This woman drove up in her new clean shiny 4x4 and handed over this stinking mess - she handed him over on a lead because she wouldn’t even touch him.

“It is clear he has never been groomed. Leaving him in this state is a prosecutable offence but I’m not interested in going to the police - all I want to do is make sure Bentley recovers.”

Ms Trout said the dog was “anxious about being touched” and would get aggressive if she tried to stroke him.

She added: “At the vets, we were able to get him sedated so he wouldn’t know what was going on, because it would have been very painful for him to be handled and have his fur shaved off.

“The real difficulty was trying to get the clippers through - this fur had literally turned into felt. It was, wet, saturated in oil and just horrible.

“It took from 9.30am to 2.30 that afternoon to get him totally shaved down before being bathed and dried. He was given a brand new collar and coat and I brought him back home.

“He was a big dog when he arrived - about the size of a Corgi. Now his fur is gone he’s a tiny little thing.”

Bentley’s haircut has brought him back to life - as his terror of human touches has led to him reaching out to give rescuer Kathy kisses on the cheek.

“Now if I gently put my hand out, he will come to me and lick my face. It’s wonderful to see him so happy again.”

Bentley will soon be looking out for a new family after Kathy brought him back from his abused state, as he currently lives with the 16 other dogs at the West Yorkshire Dog Rescue centre.