Dogsey

A police force has launched a fundraising campaign to help with the treatment of a pregnant dog that was hit by a van in County Durham.

The Lurcher, named Molly by medics, was knocked over at Harelaw, Stanley, on Saturday and taken to vets wrapped in a police coat to keep her warm.

She suffered a broken leg and due to the trauma, lost her nine pups.

Durham Police's appeal to raise £1,000 to cover the vet's costs has reached more than £2,000 in just days.

The Dogs Trust agreed to underwrite the veterinary costs initially, prompting the force to set up a JustGiving page named "molly coddle" appealing for donations to cover the amount.

Prince Bishops veterinary nurse Carl Hudscroft said it was "fantastic" so many "nice and generous" people had made donations.

Stanley Neighbourhood Police Team said on 'another site': "It's amazing to see how people are pulling together to help Molly.

"We have flown past our target and the donations to the Dogs Trust are continuing to come in to the JustGiving site."

It is not known who the dog belongs to at this stage, police said.