A tortured dog whose story touched the hearts of thousands after being found battered and abandoned is set for a happy Christmas.

Bruce the bull-lurcher has found his forever home after being adopted by a kind-hearted veterinary nurse who helped save his life.

Four months after he was spotted wandering dazed near Carlisle, he is now happy and well after recovering from horrific injuries.

Thousands of people took to social media to describe how sickened they were by the injuries suffered by Bruce, who had been burned, beaten and stabbed.

His life was saved by the team at Ashlea Veterinary Centre in Carlisle as an investigation to trace the person responsible for his abuse was launched.

Clinical director Kirsty Barker described Bruce’s plight as the worst cruelty case she has seen in 30 years as a vet, saying his injuries left her feeling sick.

He had suffered multiple skull fractures, his eye was hanging out. The terrible burns on his back were thought to have been the result of him being scalded.

The veterinary team at the Port Road Business Park practice performed life-saving surgery.

Bruce, who was severely underweight, had to have an eye removed as it was damaged beyond repair.

Vets and nurses at Ashlea faced a tense wait to see if the tan-coloured dog would survive, news of his progress being keenly awaited by animal lovers fearful of his fate.

Now, veterinary nurse Marie Coleman, who looked after him around the clock for the first 48 hours after he was found in Little Orton, has permanently adopted Bruce.

And she says he is enjoying life again at his new home near Carlisle.

Marie said: “Bruce was in a terrible state when I first saw him, and I spent the weekend nursing him following his operation.

“I fell in love with him because he has the sweetest temperament and never grumbled when he was being treated, even though he must have been in terrible pain.

  • “I took him home a week after he came in and he has settled in fine.”

She says Bruce us now a “lovely family pet” and added: “He sleeps on the sofa cuddled up with my little boy, George.

“He loves long walks and running about in the countryside and playing with dogs we meet. He is happy and healthy and hopefully he has a long life ahead of him.

“Christmas is going to be really special with him in our lives. He’ll have a long walk on Christmas morning and then have his own dinner of turkey, pigs in blankets and he loves carrots. He will even have his own presents under the tree.”

Bruce returned this week to Ashlea Vets for another check-up and staff presented him with a Christmas present.

He recently underwent a further successful operation on his broken jaw at a referral veterinary practice in Glasgow.

Ms Barker said: “I felt physically sick when he first came in. He was so sad and depressed and suffering from terrible injuries.

“I’ve never seen a cruelty case like it and I never want to again because it was wanton cruelty. We’re delighted with his progress as he is a lovely dog and we’re thrilled he has found a lovely home.”

Ashlea Vets was inundated with goodwill messages from well-wishers and a fund raised £4,000 to pay for his extensive treatment.

Marie added: “We would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who contributed to the JustGiving page.

“The public really took him to their hearts because they were horrified at what happened to him. I can’t understand what sort of person would do something like this.

“Bruce has found his happy ending and he has a safe home for the rest of his life.”

The RSPCA investigation to trace those responsible for abusing Bruce continues.

At the time he was found, he was not microchipped and dis not have a collar or ID tag.

Anyone with information that could help the RSPCA investigation should call 0300 123 8018.