A BORDER collie thrown from a speeding car is recovering from its injuries.

Shocked residents of Cockfield, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, looked on in horror as the eight-year-old dog was hurled from the car as the occupants drove off.

The dog, which has since been taken to Ramshaw Rescue Centre, near Bishop Auckland, was left lying lame on the side of the road with a bruised shoulder.

David Prior and his wife, Marie, took the dog some biscuits and managed to carry it to their back yard.

Mr Prior said: "I didn't see it happen, but I saw the dog lying next to the quoits court when I took my own dogs for a walk.

"We took it biscuits and a tin of dog food and he wolfed it down. He had been neglected quite a lot because he was very, very thin and hungry.''

Mr Prior described the dog as being of a kind and friendly nature.

He said: "My wife was in tears over it because when she gave him the biscuits he licked her face. We would love to have kept it, but we already have two.

"It is absolutely disgusting. We were devastated by it. If they didn't want it any more, they should have taken it to a kennels.''

Kate Wilson, from the rescue centre, said she was sickened by the incident and said the holiday season was a time when people abandoned their pets. She said: "Something needs to be done to let these people know they will be prosecuted if they are caught.''

The collie is the second dog to be taken in this week after being abandoned. A small black mongrel dog was left tied to a fence in a country lane in Crook.

The centre is looking for a home for both dogs, which are recovering from the ordeals.

Anyone who can help should contact the centre on (01388) 834644 or at www.ramshawrescue.co.uk