TORONTO -- Phoenix the chow is still rising up from the worst case of animal neglect Durham Region officials say they've seen.

The bloodied, underweight chow wandered into a Clarington backyard Aug. 17, prompting the SPCA to launch an animal cruelty investigation.

A front-page story in the Sun last Wednesday prompted an outpouring of support from dog lovers across North America.

Donations have flooded into the Humane Society of Durham Region which is caring for the animal.

The reward for information leading to conviction of whomever was responsible for the dog's decrepit condition is now up to $5,370.

"He's made some good improvement in just a week," SPCA officer Debby Houghton told the Sun yesterday. "He's progressing and he's in great spirits.

"We're just worried about the cancer."

Phoenix has an appointment with a specialist Monday to examine cancer cells found on his tongue.

A skin condition the dog has is healing but is still bad, Houghton added.

When Phoenix first came into the local animal hospital caring for him, he was quiet, battling several infections and seemed constantly in pain.

Now officials say he seems more able to move -- even stretching his legs for a short walk Monday -- and barked for the first time since he was rescued.

"It was incredible," Houghton said.

SPCA officials are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.

DON.PEAT@SUNMEDIA.CA