A PUPPY which is recovering from an horrific leg injury will soon be in need of a new home.

The four-month-old cross- breed bitch was handed in at Darlington police station by people who gave false details.

When dog warden John Martin arrived to have a look at it, he found the puppy was frightened and in shock.

"She was just shaking and drooling at the back of the kennel," he said.

"When I lifted her up her back leg fell out sideways. The bone had been snapped in two. She must have been in terrible pain."

Mr Martin took the dog to the Grange veterinary practice, where it had an operation to pin the bones in place.

The dog, which is yet to be named, is now recovering and will later this week be taken to the Dog's Trust at Sadberge to be rehomed.

Mr Martin said: "I don't know if its leg has been broken deliberately or not, but it would have needed some force to have snapped it in two like this."

Anyone with information about who the dog may have belonged to is asked to contact Darlington Borough Council's dog wardens on (01325) 388582.