AN unwanted blind dog that touched North-East hearts can see again.

Meg, a four-year-old whippet-cross, developed sight problems two years ago and needed an operation to correct her eyes.

She is being cared for at a foster home for the National Animal Sanctuary Support League.

After her plight was highlighted in The Northern Echo, hundreds of readers pledged cash to help pay for the £800 cataract surgery.

Yesterday, Meg had the operation at Bishopton veterinary practice in Ripon.

The operation appears to have been a success.

Vet Gary Lewin said: "We have taken Meg's lens out of her eye to remove the cataract and we have put an artificial lens in to replace it, as is done with people, but it's more delicate with dogs.

"There could still be potential problems. We have to give it a few weeks for things to settle down, but I'm as pleased as I can be at the moment."

The surgery that Meg received was developed by vets in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. The process is called a lendectomy and involves removing the lens from the eye, taking the cataract and debris away, and then replacing the lens.

Pauline Wilson, from the league, said: "We would like to thank everybody who responded to the appeal in The Northern Echo.

"We are absolutely over the moon. We never really expected so many people to get in touch and that it would generate so much interest.

"There are some really kind people out there. It's amazing."

Carers at the league are now appealing to animal lovers to give Meg a home.

The whippet is good with older children and gets on well with other dogs.

Any potential owners would need to have some experience of dogs with disabilities.

To offer her a new home, contact Mrs Wilson on (01325) 321855.