RESCUE home workers have dubbed a terrier Lucky after she survived being tied up and left to choke to death in a quiet street.

A dog warden found the six-month-old bitch close to death.

Her legs had been bound tight with rope, and she was tied with a choke lead to railings in a quiet road in Lambton, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham.

Yesterday, she was recovering at Cleadon local authority kennels, in Sunderland.

Kennel manager Sarah Wynn, 25, said: "The choke lead was tied in such a way that, if she had tried to struggle, she would have strangled herself.

"I can't understand how anyone could mistreat her.

"She is an absolutely adorable dog. She has had quite a poor start in life," she added.

"What we want now is to find her a good home."

Anyone interested in taking on Lucky should contact the kennels on 0191-529 2369.