Dog abandoned and tied to tree 50 metres from animal shelter

A terrified dog was tied to a tree and abandoned by its owner just 50 metres away from an RSPCA shelter.

Bruce the rottweiler cross was spotted by a dog walker who immediately contacted the animal welfare centre.

Officers from the RSPCA Ashley Heath Animal Centre in Ringwood, Hampshire, said Bruce was ‘very scared and shaking’ when they found him.

Now they have launched an investigation to try and find Bruce’s owner.

RSPCA inspector Jo Story said: ‘Bruce has a microchip but the details are not up to date so we do not know if he has previously been lost, or perhaps even stolen.

‘He was very scared and shaking when he was first found, with no sign of an owner around.

‘We’re not sure how long he was there as people could have driven by and not seen him. It was a dog who noticed him first and alerted its owner.

‘We understand he is 16 months old and was most recently rehomed along with his sister to a woman in Bournemouth around four months ago, however we have been struggling to get in touch with them.

‘We’re really keen to hear from anyone who recognises Bruce, knows where he came from, or who knows how he came to be left alone.

‘He’s very affectionate and enjoys attention. He is a lovely dog.’