A DOG owner has been "overwhelmed" by messages of concern and support after her injured dog was thrown onto the pavement by an "irate" motorist.

Young terrier, Dora, escaped from Lynn Sterry's Cinderford home and was knocked down by a bus outside the town's Texaco garage.

Lynn says the motorist, who was driving in the opposite direction, picked the injured dog up "by the collar and chucked him on the pavement" before driving off.

"Nobody can understand why this man did what he did and especially at this time of year it's even more bizarre. What was the matter with him – why was he so angry and unfeeling?"

But the good news is that Dora is back home and licking her wounds – a pinned and broken leg.

"She's looking a bit sorry for herself," says Lynn. "But I've just been absolutely overwhelmed by the number of calls about her and the texts asking 'how is the little dog'. The young lady at the Texaco garage has been in regular touch by text just to see if she's all right. It's wonderful to see how many people care."

She added her thanks to the Grindles bus driver who rescued Dora and took her to the vets, and to vet, Derry Jones, who's been "just wonderful to her."