A reward is being offered to help catch the sadist who left a dog found near Carlisle with horrific and life-threatening injuries.

The tan-coloured lurcher - christened Bruce by the veterinary team treating him, and thought to be about four years old - was found wandering around Little Orton, west of Carlisle, bloodied and dazed, after suffering horrific torture.

According to the vet treating him, he had been burned, beaten, and stabbed - possibly by somebody using a stick with a nail attached.

Bruce underwent life-saving surgery, but remains poorly. A spokesperson for the Carlisle vet who is looking after Bruce said today that he is now able to eat and is "comfortable."

After news of his ordeal was published in the News & Star, there was a huge response from readers on our Facebook page. In just over 24 hours, the story has reached more than 420,000 people, with hundreds voicing their condemnation.

Among the responses was one from Vicky Carr, the dog warden who found Bruce.

She wrote: "[It was] one of the most heartbreaking things I have ever seen in my life.

"Please everyone share so we can try and find the vile people who did this. Hoping and praying he gets through all this. He's definitely a fighter.

"The look on his face has given me hope."

Chris Wood, a dog lover and animal lover, praised another reader who was among many to offer Bruce a loving home.

He added: "I will offer £300 towards his re-homing but I will also offer £500 towards a reward to catch this person who can inflict so my pain on an animal."

The other comments posted on our Facebook page include:

* Susan Kitson: "This makes me so ashamed of the human race."

* Josephine Catanach: "The person or people who did this or allowed this it to happen are the absolute definition of evil. I pray that Bruce pulls through and learns that humans can also be loving and kind; and that he learns to trust again."

* Caroline Briscoe: "Poor little fella. I hope he pulls through. No animal deserves to be treated in this way. I hope with the help of Facebook the evil person or persons are found."

Rosemary Barnes: "Evil beings. My tears flow and my blood boils at the capabilities of the disgusting being or beings who could do this to beautiful creatures.

* Karen Beet: "I've honestly been brought to tears at these pictures... how absolutely cruel. How could anyone treat a living creature in this way?"

* Bridie Jane: "This is absolutely heartbreaking... can't read for tears."

Meanwhile, RSPCA inspectors are continuing to look for whoever was responsible for inflicting the horrific wounds on Bruce.

“This is one of the most upsetting and shocking cases I’ve ever come across," said RSPCA Chief Inspector Rob Melloy. "In 20 years of service it is truly one of the worst cases of cruelty I have seen.

"I will never understand how someone could be so brutally violent towards a loyal, loving dog. It’s heartbreaking and I really hope Bruce pulls through.

“I’d urgently like to track down Bruce’s owners and find out who is responsible for this heinous crime. "

Bruce was found wandering dazed and bloodied in Little Orton yesterday. He underwent life-saving surgery today but there was still a chance he may not pull through.

The inspector explained the extent of his injuries which included a deep hole in the top of his skull and several other puncture wounds in the side of his face as well as burns around his tail and rear end.

He had a swollen, protruding eye and his face was bloodied and battered. His tail had been burned.

“We believe this poor dog has been beaten with a screwdriver or a piece of wood with a nail hammered into it, giving him the severe puncture wounds and nasty eye injury which has then become infected.

“The fur and skin around his rear end and tail are also scalded and burned as if someone has tried to set him on fire," Mr Melloy said.

“His eye is in an horrendous state and sadly will need removing.

“He’s very skinny and, as well as the puncture wounds on his head and face, his skull has also been fractured in several places and his jaw is broken.

“Poor Bruce was stabilised overnight and rushed into surgery on today for emergency life-saving treatment.

“It’s touch and go whether he’ll survive at the moment and, if he pulls through, he’ll need major, reconstructive surgery to repair the damage to his skull.

“Vets believe he’s had these injuries for around three to four days.

“I can’t begin to imagine the suffering he’s endured at the hands of such violence and in the days after, where he’s simply been abandoned and left for dead.

“Poor Bruce must have been so frightened and confused, and he must be in so much pain."

Bruce was not microchipped and had no collar or ID tag. He is thought to be about four years old.

Mr Melloy is appealing to anyone who recognises Bruce to get in touch on 0300 123 8018. Visiting www.rspca.org.uk/give to donate.