A fund launched to partially save the sight of a blind dog found abandoned touched so many people, it exceeded its total within a few days.

The RSPCA centre in Castle Way, Leybourne, launched the appeal last week to raise £2,500 to pay for treatment to Delphine the springer spaniel, who was found abandoned and tied to a pallet of bricks in Hayle Place, Maidstone.

But Delphine’s plight touched so many hearts, it quickly surpassed that total and its Just Giving page had reached more than £3,400 in seven days and now stands at more than £3,600. Hundreds of other donations have also been handed in to the centre’s reception to help her.

It means when Delphine is fully recovered from her ordeal, she can have surgery on her right eye at the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket to remove a cataract.

Angelina Allingham from the centre said: "It is really lovely how many people have given.

There’s a lot of people that care very much.

"She has a little wound on her neck from where her collar rubbed which needs to heal and then she can go for the surgery."

She added that Delphine had settled well in the centre and was very popular among staff and volunteers.

"She enjoys her walks around the field and always has a very waggy tail."

It’s not known how long she will need to stay at the vets after her surgery, as staff don’t know how she will respond to the anaesthetic, but it is likely to be at least two days. Staff have said that any additional funds will go to help the other animals at the centre.

To donate to the fund, visit https://www.justgiving.com/LeybourneDelphine/