A dog badly injured after suffering a suspected stab wound has been found a new home.

Thomas, a Staffordshire bull terrier, was discovered bleeding and in a distressed state earlier this month tied to railings in Murston.

He was treated by vets for a 5cm-long wound to his left shoulder before being taken in by Jasmil Kennels in Lower Halstow.

After a Swale council appeal for new owners, the five-year-old, tan-coloured dog is now in the care of Gemma Turton and Andrew Fosbraey, from Sittingbourne.

The couple said: “Thomas is feeling really well. We’ve falling in love with him overnight.”

Swale’s dog warden Tim Oxley, who visited Thomas in his new home, said: “He has settled in wonderfully.

“The first night he was a bit nervous because he’s been through a real trauma, but he has really taken to them.”

A council spokesman said its Facebook plea on behalf of Thomas attracted a “staggering” 90,000 views in three days – almost 80,000 more than an appeal usually generates over the same period.

Alister Andrews, environment response manager for Swale, said: “Considering only 140,000 people live in the borough, to get this many views for a single dog story was simply extraordinary.”

The council said it has five other abandoned dogs currently waiting to be rehomed.

Anyone interested in taking in a new pet is asked to contact the kennels on 01795 842466.