A INJURED dog found standing guard over his badly hurt mate after the two were attacked by an unknown animal have been named Lady and Tramp by vets who treated them.

Staff at Dunelm Veterinary Practice in Gilesgate, Durham City, are now looking for a home for the inseparable couple who have been nursed back to health.

Sheila McGrath, client care manager at the practice, said: “An off duty police officer found them them at the side of the road in Littletown, near Sherburn Hill.

“He initially thought they had been in a road accident as Tramp was standing guard over Lady.

“They were in a terrible state - covered in blood and with festering wounds.

“When we got them in and cleaned their wounds up we found they were actually bites. So they have been attacked but something – we don’t know whether it was a fox or badger or something else.”

Tramp, an American bulldog cross, was treated for an abscess on his throat. Lady, a whippet cross, had bites all over her body and had lost part of her tail.

Ms McGrath said: “We’ve had them here three weeks and got them completely back on their feet.

“They are a right pair of characters and have lovely natures.

“We could like them to be re-homed together. They are inseparable.”

Anyone who may be interested in adopting Lady and Tramp should contact the practice at 0191-384 7609.