Wufra has gained 5kg since he was rescued

The injured dog that was rescued from a Yorkshire Dales fell has had an operation on his broken leg.

There were fears that the severely malnourished dog might have to have a leg amputated, but a vet has successfully treated the damaged limb.

Members of the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association stretchered the lurcher-saluki cross from Buckden Pike after a group of walkers reported seeing it cowering against a wall on the summit ridge. The dog was close to death when he was brought from the fell.

Helen Coates, who is looking after the dog, named Wufra in an anagram of the rescue team’s initials, said the animal has put on at least 5kg since his rescue three weeks ago.

Ms Coates, who runs The Dog People charity in Grassington, said she hopes the dog might even be coming home from the vet’s after the weekend. “His heart rate and blood tests are back to normal,” she said. “He’s obviously a strong dog with an amazing will to survive.

“He was operated on yesterday and the vet called last night to say that all had gone smoothly.

“His leg has been plated and screwed so, apart from it being a little crooked and 1cm shorter than the other front leg, he should be back to normal in a few weeks.”

Team leader Andy Jackson said the animal had probably been at the remote spot near the summit of the 690m (2,264ft) hill at least two days when he was rescued as the grass underneath him had started to die.

The team appealed for members of the public to donate cash to help pay for the animal’s treatment.

Ms Coates said: “Please can you thank all the lovely people who have sent best wishes and donations to his fund. We wouldn’t have been able to do it without all the support.”