A puppy found badly hurt and abandoned in a garden after being lobbed over a fence is recovering from his nasty injuries.

Vets feared Stanley the lurcher would lose his leg due to the severe infection to a wound after he was found trembling in the garden of a Dartford home.

Stanley the lurcher playing in the garden after his treatment went well

The resident took the 10-month-old pup to a vet who called the RSPCA and he was taken in for urgent treatment.

But now, after almost a month, Stanley is on the road to recovery at the charity's Finsbury Park Animal Hospital in London.

It is now hoped due to his amazing progress, his leg has been saved and will not need to be amputated.

He was videoed playing football in the hospital's garden and bouncing around with staff wagging his tail.

The young pooch could barely lift his head up when he first arrived at the RSPCA and had suffered a cut to his face, puncture wounds all over his body and the infected leg.

CCTV footage revealed the poor dog had been thrown over the garden fence by a man.

The clip showed a vehicle pull up around the back of the gardens in the communal garage area and a man look over the fence.

He then lifted the lurcher into the air and dropped him into the garden before leaving.

Emma Yelland, networking administrator at RSPCA Finsbury Park, said: “Stanley is doing well and so far it looks like we may have saved his leg which is a huge relief. It’s been very touch and go.

"He was in a bad state when he came into our care and he is still a little way off yet but the change in him from a poorly and scared boy into a very happy, playful dog has been heartening to see.”

The RSPCA is still appealing for information about the incident and anyone who can help is urged to contact the appeal line in confidence on 0300 123 8018.

Rescue officer Brian Milligan, who collected Stanley from the vets in Dartford, said his injuries were consistent with dog fighting.

Anyone who can help with rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals can visit the RSPCA website or call the donation line on 0300 123 8181.