Caged dog put down after neglect

Vets tried to save the dog but it had to be put down

Investigations are under way to find the owner of a dog which was so badly treated it had to be put down.

The animal was found by the side of the road in Edzell, Angus, by a woman who originally thought it was a dead fox.

The dog is thought to be a Tibetan spaniel and about 10 years old, but vets cannot be sure because it was in such a bad state.

Animal welfare inspectors believe it could have been kept in a small cage for years.

Doreen Graham, from the Scottish SPCA, said: "Under anaesthetic the coat was taken off, and it more or less came off in one solid form.

"The dog wasn't emaciated, but had absolutely no muscle whatsoever and at this moment it is believed the dog may have been kept in a cage for years, where it couldn't stand up or turn around properly.

"There appear to be urine burns, certainly on one side of the animal.

This poor dog had a dreadful existence for a very long time Doreen Graham Scottish SPCA

The dog was discovered on Thursday, and put down on Saturday.

Ms Graham said: "We need the public to help us because it may be that someone knows where this little dog has been kept.

"The owner may have thought that the dog had died and had dumped it to look like road kill, but we believe the dog hasn't come from the area and may have been dumped there.

"We really do need to find who's responsible for this to make sure there are no other animals suffering a similar fate, but this poor dog had a dreadful existence for a very long time."