YOU could be forgiven for thinking this is the cutest little sheep you’ve ever seen.

But no one at Margaret Green Animal Rescue was smiling when they first laid eyes on the young, neglected bichon frise.

The stray dog’s coat was matted so badly he needed to be sedated just to have it shaved off, shocked staff told the Daily Echo.

Margaret Green Animal Rescue’s Lincoln Farm centre manager Helen Chittock explained: “He required sedation to have the matted curls shaved off because of the distress it would have caused him had he been awake. They were so painful that the vet was unable to check his ear and eye general health until they were removed.”

Staff at the animal rescue centre named the neglected lapdog Lucky, and after his coat – which resembled a woolly fleece – was removed, he became much more playful.

“As soon as it was gone he was very happy and able to run around much more freely,” said Helen.

“He became quite the character, a real cheeky chap, who was affect-ionate but equally loved to hare about with a tennis ball and his doggy pals.”

And after a Sherborne couple visited the centre, this became one shaggy dog story with a happy ending. The couple were so enamoured with Lucky, they decided to adopt him.

“He was a bit cautious to begin with but soon settled in,” said the couple.

“He loves going in the river for a swim with the other dogs and will go in where the water reaches the tops of his legs. He loves baths and being groomed, he gets on well with other dogs and is totally in love with us. We love him dearly.”

To find out more about adopting an animal, or to donate, visit margaret greenanimalrescue.org.uk.