AN abandoned dog is ready to start a new life with a forever family after months of care and attention at RSPCA West Hatch Animal Centre.

Lacie the lurcher was found dumped in a hedgerow near an RSPCA officer's home in Somerset last spring, cold, emaciated and with sores on her body.

Following months of veterinary attention and a good diet, she is now fully recovered.

Centre deputy manager Anita Clark said: “It's taken many months, but her coat has now grown back, her sores have healed, and her personality has begun to shine through.

"Lacie now cannot wait to find her forever home where she has a sofa to call her own.

“Lacie is full of life and very playful despite everything she has been through.

"She travels well in the car, and will either look out of the window or lie down.

"She is looking for patient, understanding adopters to carry on the training and socialisation we have started at the centre.

“She would also like the company of someone who is at home most of the time to house train her and teach that it's okay to be left for short periods.”

Staff at the charity worked patiently to grow Lacie's confidence to ensure she is transformed and ready for her forever home.

Animal rescue officer Ali Sparkes was off duty when she was alerted to Lacie's plight last March when a neighbour reported seeing her abandoned.

Ali said: “She was so frightened she wouldn’t come out or even look at me and she was really shivering.

"I took her to the vet who noticed a lump on her head, caused by a blunt object.

“She had cuts on her ears and a larger healing wound on her back.

"She was severely underweight and had pressure sores from sleeping with no bedding.

“It’s amazing to see her looking so happy and healthy thanks to the hard work of the team at RSPCA West Hatch.

"It’ll be amazing when her recovery journey is completed by finding a loving home."

Potential adopters must live within a reasonable distance of the West Hatch centre as she will need to meet her new family several times to get to know them.

Lacie would be suitable to live with older teenagers, calm sociable dogs but not cats or small animals due to her high prey drive.