Dog left hanging on chain in tree

An investigation has started after a live dog was left hanging by a chain from a tree on Tyneside.

The black and tan mongrel, which has been named Lucky, was found in Hebburn, South Tyneside.

An RSPCA inspector said the animal was thin and its fur was matted. It had not suffered injuries during its ordeal but could have died, she said.

The charity is now caring for the animal and investigating how it came to be hanging from the tree.

RSPCA Inspector Helen Beswick said: "At the moment we haven't got any idea where it's come from or what's happened to it, unfortunately.

"I just think it's horrific. I can't believe that someone would actually initially abandon a dog or even abandon it in such a way that it is maybe not going to get found.

"It's obviously got distressed, it could possibly have hurt itself and it could actually have killed itself and I just think it is very callous."