HE had been left for dead in a bin.

But now, nine months after Mid Suffolk District Council worker Jason Bloomfield found him shivering with fear at the side of the A14, little Dusty has enjoyed his first Christmas in safety.

Mr Bloomfield, of Creeting St Mary, near Stowmarket, who found the animal has he cleared a layby in March this year, said he could not imagine being without his four-legged friend.

“It’s been nine months now and he’s settled right in now, he’s no problem at all, he’s part of the family,” Mr Bloomfield said.”

“He has been brilliant, he’s been to the vets and been chipped and he’s got a hi-vis coat which he uses when he goes running with me to Sowmarket Striders. Everyone loves him there.”

The 41-year-old added: “He’s a little bit funny with other little dogs, he’s got little dog syndrome, but with everybody else he’s fine.”

Mr Bloomfield told the EADT how he had the “shock of my life” when he unlocked the bin to find Dusty.

The dog was found without a collar and no microchip. When Dusty’s owners did not come forward after 28 days, Mr Bloomfield stepped in.

Mr Bloomfield said he had received support from pet lovers around the world when the story originally broke.

“It went mad on the pet forums from all over the world,” Mr Bloomfield said.

“One nice lady in Lowestoft sent us a few nice cards and Asda raised all that money for food for him which was really good.”