package dpkg-dev 1.17.5ubuntu5.5 failed to install/upgrade: package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration

[John Gregory]

looks like a previously reported bug, just different version

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 14.04
Package: dpkg-dev 1.17.5ubuntu5.5
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.13.0-85.129-generic 3.13.11-ckt36
Uname: Linux 3.13.0-85-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.14.1-0ubuntu3.19
Architecture: amd64
Date: Thu Apr 21 18:16:00 2016
DuplicateSignature: package:dpkg-dev:1.17.5ubuntu5.5:package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration
ErrorMessage: package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration
InstallationDate: Installed on 2015-07-14 (282 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu-GNOME 14.04 LTS "Trusty Tahr" - Release amd64 (20140416.2)
PackageArchitecture: all
RelatedPackageVersions:
 dpkg 1.17.5ubuntu5.5
 apt 1.0.1ubuntu2.13
SourcePackage: dpkg
Title: package dpkg-dev 1.17.5ubuntu5.5 failed to install/upgrade: package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
modified.conffile..etc.dpkg.shlibs.default: [deleted]
modified.conffile..etc.dpkg.shlibs.override: [deleted]