A neglected and abandoned German Shepherd who has "stolen the hearts of a nation", has now been given the all clear by vets.

Bluebell was found in Jefferson Road, Sheerness, rummaging through black bin bags and was initially mistaken for a fox.

Swale Borough Council Stray Dog Service has been posting regular Facebook updates on the seven-year-old pooch and revealed the good news this morning (January 31).

They said: "Her blood tests have been given the all clear and other than a small amount of campylobacter in her faeces, she's doing really well.

"Onwards and upwards baby girl."

A video also showed her running around and playing – looking much brighter and healthier than she did just under two weeks ago.

On Wednesday, January 18, the stray dog service was alerted when Bluebell was spotted eating out of some black bin bags.

"Based on the pictures we've received, the poor love has obviously suffered some pretty serious neglect and has been left to fend for herself," a spokesman for the service said at the time.

"Unless their is an underlying medical condition, this is animal neglect."

Some people were initially confused over the pictures posted, with some commenting that it looked like a fox.

Weighing in at just 18.8kg, Bluebell was very underweight and malnourished.

Two days later, they issued a second update, saying she was recovering and "settling well into kennel life".

Bluebell has also been receiving lots of treats and toys from the public, which have been donated since her arrival.

The service says it has now handed her into the care of Valgrays Border Collie and Animal Rescue in Surrey.

"They'll continue the great work that ourselves, the kennels and the vets started and hopefully, in time, she'll be a picture of health," they added.

"Her skin is far less inflamed, her ears are much better and she's put on almost 1kg already.

"Bluebell is so resilient, she's truly stolen the hearts of a nation."

Despite being chipped, the German Shepherd was not registered as lost or missing.

Swale Stray Dog Service has confirmed it has located the owner and "will be seeking legal action due to failings under the Animal Welfare Act 2006".