A dog found slumped by the side of the road in dire need of medical attention is now ready to find his forever home.

The lost pet, that has been named Billy, was found collapsed in a “terrible condition” in Halfway, on Sheppey, in September.

He had a bad skin infection, conjunctivitis, overgrown nails and an ear infection – he did not have a microchip either.

Billy was discovered by a member of the public, who called the RSPCA. He was later handed over to a Swale council dog warden because he was a stray. He was then taken to Karebear Kennels in Gillingham before being taken into foster care.

Rosie Poole, who volunteers for charity JR Whippet Rescue, has helped with the fostering process and says Billy is now ready to be rehomed.

She said: “I’ve taken dogs in in the past that are in dire circumstances and Swale’s dog warden service thought I could help with Billy.

“I agreed to help and located him with one of my fosterers James Nash, who lives in Hastings.”

When asked how he was when she first picked Billy up, Rosie said: “He was just completely inside himself.

“We really didn’t know if he would survive, he had just given up. He was certainly near death when we got him, he was in such a state. But he is doing really well now. He’s like a completely different dog and is ready for his next adventure; his forever home.”

Billy, who is thought to be about three years old, has been treated for his infections, been neutered and had several lumps removed, which were non-malignent. He is partially deaf and has a cataract in one eye.

Rosie said: “He won’t ever get a full coat of hair back again, but his hair is growing – he will need to be in jumpers during the winter.

"We are looking for a forever home for him – a home where someone is there most of the time,” she added.

“Where he has been neglected before, he just needs someone who can be there. He needs some company.

"He is really, really friendly. He’s just a lovely dog, he likes walks, affection and is good with children. He’s also happy to live with other dogs.”

It is still unclear which breed Billy is, but it is believed he is a type of lurcher. His vet bills cannot be funded by JR Whippet Rescue – which raises funds only for that particular breed.

A fundraising page has been set up to help pay for the treatment, which has so far cost £1,800.

More than £900 of the £2,000 target has so far been raised.

'He’s like a completely different dog and is ready for his next adventure; his forever home,' - Rosie Poole, who volunteers for JR Whippet Rescue

Meanwhile, no one responded to Swale council’s appeal for information. A spokesman said: “Although he is now happy and in a safe place, it does not make up for the neglect that left him in that state. We would like anyone who might recognise him to get in touch so we can continue our investigations.”

Anyone interested in rehoming Billy should email rescueforbilly@gmail.com

To support his cause, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Sheppey