COMET readers have proved we are a nation of animal lovers with dozens of calls offering to give a home to injured Petal the Staffordshire bull terrier, whose plight we revealed last week. Petal was found whimpering at the side of Hertford Road, Stevenage

COMET readers have proved we are a nation of animal lovers with dozens of calls offering to give a home to injured Petal the Staffordshire bull terrier, whose plight we revealed last week.

Petal was found whimpering at the side of Hertford Road, Stevenage, near the Van Hage Garden Centre, with serious injuries to both her back legs.

Despite our appeal last week for Petal's owner to come forward nobody has claimed the dog and it is now feared she may have been abandoned because her injuries, which will cost thousands of pounds in vets' bills, were so serious.

Petal stayed for several days at the Fairlight Veterinary Surgery in Ditchmore Lane, Stevenage, before being transferred to the Wood Green Animal Shelter in Godmanchester where she was due to undergo surgery today (Thursday).

Staff there have also fallen in love with the dog and renamed her Smartie.

Many Comet readers not only offered the dog a home but also offered to make donations towards her treatment.

"We would like to thank all the Comet readers who have shown an interest in the dog. It is still a mystery where she came from as no owner has come forward to claim her," said Deborah Arbon-Williams at the surgery.

"We are most grateful to the Wood Green Animal Shelter which is now providing her with long-term nursing care.

"We are very, very grateful to everyone who has sent in donations towards Smartie's care which we have forwarded on to Wood Green to help towards the funds required for her care."

To keep Comet readers up to speed on Smartie's recovery a special web cam is being set up in her cage from next Monday which can be found on www.woodgreen.org.uk

The shelter will also be giving a daily newsletter on Smartie's operation and progress on info@woodgreen.org.uk where you can still offer donations and join the queue to offer Smartie a home.