HEREFORD and Worcester Animal Rescue centre is nursing four severely malnourished dogs back to health.

A pomeranian, two lurchers and a rottweiler all came the way of the centre near Leominster during the past few weeks.

"They were all picked up from different areas and we don't know the reason behind it," said Carol Smith, founder of the charity.

"The pomeranian, called Rocky, was just skin and bone after being found in Belmont, Hereford, while Jet, a black lurcher, is now in a foster home after also being found in the city.

"Milly, a sandy lurcher, was covered in scars and very underweight after being picked up in Marden and a rottweiler called Hope was in a similar condition when found in Hereford."

Carol said that to encounter four dogs in such a short time frame is very rare.

She added: "If owners cannot afford to feed their dogs, then there are organisations that will help them.

"It is still no reason to starve them."