A 'grossly underweight' and dehydrated greyhound was left tied to a tree in Oldham.
RSPCA were alerted to the matter by a passer-by, who heard the dog whimpering last Thursday (December 2).
The greyhound, believed to be called Duke, had been abandoned on Littlemoor Lane, in Waterhead.
READ MORE: Makki family who sacrificed visits to dying mum 'disgusted' by alleged No 10 Christmas party
RSPCA inspector Paul Heaton rescued the dog from the scene and rushed him to the animal welfare charity’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital.
The vet found the dog, who was not microchipped, to be very underweight and also dehydrated. He was given food and kept on a drip overnight.
According to the RSPCA, the dog is now 'doing well'.
Paul said: “The poor dog was obviously frightened and was in poor shape because he was grossly underweight.
"However, he is very friendly and loving and now doing well in our care and if no-one comes forward he will be rehomed through our charity.
"From preliminary investigations I believe the dog may have been called Duke so we have kept this name and I am now keen to find the person responsible for abandoning him in such a callous way.
"I am also keen to hear from anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area or anyone who knows someone who owned a dog like this
“It seems his owner has decided to just tie him to a tree and leave him vulnerable and scared and then walk away from their terrified pet who had clearly not had much to eat in the weeks leading up to this abandonment.
“I would urge anyone who can help the investigation to call the appeals line on 0300 123 8018.”
In Greater Manchester there were 158 reports of animals being abandoned last winter - including 55 in December.
Animal abandonment levels have risen to almost pre-pandemic levels and the RSPCA fears this festive season could be even busier.
Paul added: “We are already seeing abandonment rise month on month and are braced for a surge of abandoned and neglected animals as pet ownership soared during lockdown, with an estimated 3.2m people welcoming pets into their lives last year."
