A six-week-old puppy with a deformed paw was found dumped in a park in Ashton.
The helpless pup, believed to be a Patterdale Terrier-type, was found in Cedar Park by a woman who heard a rustling noise coming from a cardboard box on November 7.
She then discovered the tiny dog sitting in the open box with no food or water.
The woman took him home and called the RSPCA.
Ryan King, RSPCA Inspector, is now trying to trace the person responsible for abandoning the animal.
The little dog has been named Keith.
Ryan believes Keith may have belonged to a breeder who dumped him because of his deformed paw. The deformity means he struggles to weight-bear on the leg.
"The poor helpless puppy must have been terrified after he was left alone in unfamiliar territory and without his mum," said Ryan.
"He had no food and water and if he was not found by this member of the public he could easily have died.
"To dump a helpless puppy in this way is callous and cruel and I believe someone has bred a litter of pups and decided to abandon this one because they notice he had a deformed paw and decided they would not be able to make any money from him.
"I am hoping someone will know who this puppy belonged to and can provide me with that information.
"Someone may have been to view a litter of puppies and may have seen this dog as he is quite distinctive."
Keith is now in foster care with Ryan’s RSPCA colleague Inspector Jess Arajo and is doing well.
Ryan added: “He is such a sweet dog he is adorable and he has settled well with Jess.
“I am just so glad he is getting the love care he deserves after an awful start in his life.”
“We are not sure how he will be with his paw until he is older. He may be able to adapt to life with it or it may have to be amputated at some stage we don't know."
Anyone with information about Keith is urged to call the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018.
