A DOG left to die by its owners is making a good recovery, after vets removed a tumour the size of a golf ball from her body.

Staff at Consett Veterinary Centre, County Durham, found the nine-year-old black and grey spaniel bitch tied to railings outside their office on Monday. She underwent emergency surgery to remove the lump and also had treatment for ingrowing eyelashes.

The dog, said to be in poor condition when she was found, is staying with an RSPCA officer and doing well.

Police are studying security TV footage in a bid to trace the owner and the RSPCA has launched an investigation.

RSPCA inspector Graham Foggin said: "The tumour must have been incredibly uncomfortable for the dog and I dread to think what kind of pain the ingrowing eyelashes caused.

"These ailments will have developed over months rather than weeks, but whoever owned this dog obviously ignored these problems, instead of seeking veterinary help.

"I urge anyone who can identify the dog and lead us to her owner, to contact the RSPCA immediately."