A DOG had to be killed after it was found battered and abandoned tied to a post in Lancaster this week.

The dog was found in the small hours of Saturday morning malnourished, suffering from mange and with its leg and ribs kicked in.

One animal care worker was worried the poor animal may have suffered longer than necessary before a vet could put him out of his misery.

Val Harwood, based at the city's Animal Care sanctuary, commented: "I really hope the dog was put out of its misery as soon as was possible. The thought of it suffering unnecessarily is appalling."

The dog, a light-coloured greyhound cross, was discovered by a woman near her home at Whitendale on Scale Hall Farm at a quarter to one in the morning. Eventually she took it round to friend and neighbour Susan Bowles.

Susan remebered: "The dog whimpered all night and was very frightened. It broke my hear t to look at him. He was still so good natured. He smelt terribly but I just said 'we're taking him in.' I just hope he had a little bit of warmth and comfort on his last night."

The vet who put the dog down, George Robin of Baldrans, put down the dog at about 1pm on Saturday.

The policeman dealing with the case, PC Stewart Livingstone, appealed to the public for any information. "This was a very good-natured dog. I would urge the any one with any information to contact us as soon as possible."

Cllr Mort Allan from the kennels commented that 22,000 dogs were found and put down nationally every year. He added: "We hear a lot about dogs who are given a home but an awful lot of even healthy dogs have to be put down. I couldn't tell you how many I've seen - I try to put it to the back of my mind. In this case I went to the station and told them to call to vet straight away."

Call the police on 63333 if you have any information.

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