COULD you give Scarlett the lurcher a new home?

Found wandering the streets two months ago, Scarlett was painfully thin. The bitch is thought to be around a year old.

John Colliver, secretary of the Socelex animal sanctuary in Trinant, said one of their volunteers, Sandra Blight, found a blood-stained Scarlett wandering about in the Cardiff Gate area in April.

"She was in a pitiful state and could hardly walk. Every now and again she would shake herself until blood came out of her ears," said Mr Colliver.

Scarlett was taken to Bridge Veterinary Centre in Pontllanfraith and was found to have a dreadful case of mange, as well as skin mites.

She weighed just 14kg and had been underfed for a long period and had to be treated with painkillers and antibiotics.

Scarlett was then taken to the sanctuary and had to be kept isolated for six weeks until her condition had improved.

Mr Colliver, pictured with Sacrlett, said: "Her body was covered with sores from the top of her head to her feet. The itching would have been unbearable for her. She was so painfully thin you could see her ribs and backbone."

But he added that Scarlett now looks a different dog with her fur growing back and she has put on weight.

Mr Colliver stresses that the sanctuary want to find a home where she will just be a pet and not used for racing.

Anyone interested in offering Scarlett a home should contact him on 01495 211401.