An abandoned puppy left fighting for her life has been rescued.

The unfortunate pup is now on the road to recovery after a council dog warden was alerted and she was treated by a vet.

The three-month old Lurcher pup was said to be in a poor condition and seriously ill when she was collected.

North Dorste District Council's enforcement officer took the puppy to Damory Vets in Blandford, which began emergency treatment for Parvo virus.

Mandy Walters, Head Nurse at the practice said: “She was terribly thin and in a very poor condition.

“We all did our best for her, at first it was touch and go whether she pulled through. She was very lethargic, but clearly had a very sweet nature.”

The puppy, who was not microchipped and appeared to have been abandoned, was put on a drip and had to be hand fed liquid glucose.

Initial charges for her care were paid for by the district council and then Damory Vets took over the costs of her treatment.

The puppy has now made a good recovery, she is bright, wagging her tail, eating well and is putting on weight. She has been rehomed to a family of one of the nurses.

Michael Roake, Environment Portfolio Holder at North Dorset District Council, said: “We are all very glad this story has a happy ending. I’d like to thank our dog warden service and Damory vets.

“No dog should be abandoned, people should always contact the dog warden for help and I would like to remind people that it is their responsibility to keep a stray dog safe and contained until it can be collected.”