A loveable lurcher is on the road to recovery after being cruelly thrown from the back of a moving vehicle.

Popcorn arrived at the National Animal Welfare Trust (NAWT) in Watford after he and another dog were hurled from a van on a busy road.

Police found the pair filthy and underweight with sores all over their bodies.

Popcorn’s companion, Bambi, was also discovered suffering a severe medical condition. She was quickly placed in a temporary foster homed where she is still recovering from the ordeal.

Popcorn stayed at the Watford animal shelter where he received a care and training programme.

Jackie de Friez, centre manager at the shelter said: “With the love, care and attention he deserves, Popcorn has started to flourish.

“From the quiet, sad and withdrawn creature that arrived at our shelter a few weeks ago, Popcorn has transformed into a happy, bouncy lurcher who greets every passer-by with a wagging tail.

“Popcorn is still on a weight gaining programme, but he’s beginning to look much healthier and is proving himself to be very clever, quickly mastering all of our puzzle feeders.”

NAWT hope to raise £15,000 in donations from their Christmas appeal in association with the Big Give, where a funder will match every donation made between November 27 and December 4, bringing to target to £30,000.

The charity is encouraging supporters to donate as little as £5 to help them reach their goal.

Alex Spurgeon, supporter relationship manager, said: “Sadly Popcorn’s story isn’t the only case of neglect that the charity has seen over the last year, so veterinary care and rehabilitative training create an enormous expense.

“An expense which £30,000 of funding could make a big dent in.”

To make a donation, visit https://secure.thebiggive.org.uk/charity/view/1467/national-animal-welfare-trust

To find out more about the Christmas campaign, go to https://www.nawt.org.uk/blog/get-your-donations-doubled-big-give-november