AN abandoned white lurcher frequently seen wandering around Newton Tony in an emaciated condition has finally been rescued, thanks to the efforts of villagers, staff from the Dogs Trust centre and the Salisbury dog warden.

The beautiful dog, named Newton T by staff at the Dogs Trust rehoming centre, is now recovering and, once he is back to full health, will be found a loving home.

At the beginning of October, residents in Newton Tony began seeing the lurcher around the village.

It had no collar or tag and it is thought it might have been left behind by poachers, who had also been seen in the area.

Alison Rodgers, manager of the Dogs Trust centre, contacted dog warden Sam Quinton but, despite her best efforts, she was unable to catch the dog.

Alison and Sam then set a humane trap baited with food in an area where the lurcher had been seen.

Leaflets were distributed to 160 homes explaining what was happening.

After a fortnight of failure, a villager reported that the lurcher repeatedly visited one isolated house.

The trap was moved to this location and, a day or so later, Alison got a call from Steve and Estelle Walters to say the dog was inside the trap.

Alison took the lurcher to vet Suzanne Rawle at the Avon Lodge practice in Salisbury.

Alison said: "He was painfully thin and had a broken toe, digestive problems and some minor cuts and scrapes.

"If he had continued to live rough, I think he would have died.

"He hadn't eaten in some time, and the morning after he was caught there was a frost on the ground."

Sam said: "We're all very pleased he was caught before the weather turned.

"Everyone should keep an eye out for stray dogs like this and when you do see one, call the local dog warden or inform the police.

"These dogs need to be caught before they are injured or cause injury to others."

Newton T was treated for his immediate needs, prescribed medication and put on a healthy diet of fresh chicken and rice.

He is about two years old and is already improving.

He is a very friendly and loving dog, considering how scared he was at first, and already has stolen the hearts of staff at the rehoming centre.