Dog dumped on Christmas Day finds forever home

Rosie nearly died after being dumped in North Yorkshire over Christmas

A severely emaciated dog discovered dumped on Christmas Day has found its forever home, an animal charity said.

Rosie, a five-year-old lurcher, was found hidden in a hedgerow at Spen Common Lane near Tadcaster.

The RSPCA said the dog had wounds all over her body and had "clearly been dumped and left to die".

Following treatment, Rosie was eventually rehomed with her new owner describing her as a "super dog" who was slowly coming out of her shell.

A dog walker out with her own pet discovered a barely-responsive Rosie, Ruth McCabe, deputy centre manager at the RSPCA's York branch, said.

Rosie was found collapsed and barely responsive, RSPCA officials say

She told BBC Radio York: "If the lady's dog had not found her - she was so well hidden under the hedge - I don't think she would've lasted very much longer, maybe a few hours longer and she would have probably died there."

Rosie spent the first few weeks in the care of vets before being well enough to continue her treatment at the RSPCA in Landing Lane, York.

"At one stage it was quite touch and go whether she'd make it," Ms McCabe said.

"To be able to fight back from being so poorly just shows her strength of character, she really wanted to survive, she just needed the right help."

Rosie has since been adopted by Emily Spence who said Rosie was "slowly putting on weight" and had grown more confident with people.

"She absolutely loves food," Ms Spence said.

"[She has] brighter eyes, her tail is up, ears are pricked up and she loves doing zoomies around the garden."