AN ex-royal marine commando is battling to bring home an abandoned puppy he has rescued in war-torn Iraq.

Alex Cairnie from Neilston discovered the tiny white dog starving and covered in hardened glue underneath a shipping container in an oil field near Basrah.

The pooch, who is thought to be about seven weeks old, had ears filled with tics and she was covered in cuts and open wounds.

She was starving and close to death in 45 degree heat when she was found cowering underneath a shipping container.

Alex only found her after hearing her whimpering.

But Alex is hoping to get her the veterinary treatment she deserves and get her out of the dangerous region an in to the save hands of a rescue centre.

So far thousands of people have shared videos and photos that he has taken, and hundreds of pounds have already been raised to bring the dog - now aptly named Warpaws, home.

Alex, who now works as a private contractor in the oil and gas industry, is based in West Qurnah, southern Basrah in the Majnoon Oil Field.

Speaking to The News, he said: "I've kept dogs all my days and this one was in a very poor condition covered in some kind of hardened glue so I spent the day removing her fur as it would not dissolve.

"She is a very calm pup and did not make a fuss.

"If I can get her vaccinated and she passes the tests I'll ship her to the uk and keep her.

"There are hundreds of wild dogs out here but Warpaws is the special one."

However finding veterinary treatment for Warpaws has proved difficult.

Alex pointed out that dogs are not viewed in the same way in many Arabic countries as they are in Western countries, and that it can be problematic to source a vet of any kind.

He continued: "The policy out here is all dogs be removed from the field due to the possibility of rabies. So I have to try to get her out of here to a vet but it's very very difficult."

On Tuesday night the pup fell ill again, passing blood - making the need for a vet all the more urgent.

But the response from the public back home has convinced Alex that it is a task worth taking on.

The video Alex made of him finding Warpaws and giving her her first food in days has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times on social media.

He continued: "I am in contact with an Iraq based rescue and a Scottish based rescue both of whom have offered to help in any way they can.

"The long and short of it is we need to raise money."

So far more than £500 has been raised towards an initial target of £3,500.

For anyone who wishes to donate, they can do so at www.gofundme.com/25n3p5uk