home.

Mohawk the tiny Pomeranian, who weighs just over two pounds, was rescued from the rooftop patio of a Devonshire house.

He was trapped under an upturned laundry basket, which had a weight on it to stop him escaping.

Thirsty and soaked by rain, he cried until Police were alerted to his plight.

Government vet Dr. Neil Burnie and his wife Katherine then took him in.

"I was watching `The Last of the Mohicans' on TV when I was called away by the Police,'' said Dr. Burnie.

"When we brought him home he stank to high Heaven because he was heavily matted with faeces and an oily skin condition.

"We had to clip away clumps of his hair, and because of the way he looked we nicknamed him Mohawk.

"We gave him water, which he drank thirstily, and dog food, which he ate hungrily. Then we gave him a medicated bath.

"He spent the night in our bedroom, and he was very well behaved. He seemed to be a model patient.

"He had been kept in a pretty abysmal condition. He was in pretty fair bodily condition but he was not receiving adequate care.'' Mohawk recovered at Endsmeet animal hospital in Devonshire. He underwent a hernia operation, neutering and treatment for tooth and gum disease.

Dr. Burnie added: "We were fortunate that the keeper of the dog was willing to transfer him to the care of the Department of Agriculture so we can get him a good home.

"An anonymous benefactor has offered to pay for his veterinary care. "Anyone interested in finding out some more information about the dog, who maybe interested in giving him a home, should contact me at the Department on 236-4201.

"He would suit someone who wants a friendly, small dog to be a household companion.'' Police are investigating the case.