A Staffordshire bull terrier was heard barking for help after being tied to a tree and left in the woods.

RSPCA inspector Rebecca Goulding was called to Gledholt Woods in Huddersfield on Tuesday evening (June 30) by nearby residents who heard a dog barking from the woods.

Rebecca said: “People who live nearby heard barking coming from the woods and went to investigate. They found this poor dog tied to a tree with a harness and lead.“They told us he’d been there for at least two hours and it was clear no one was coming back for him.

“It seems a strange place for someone to tie up a stray if they found him running loose in the woods without telling anyone as he was very remote so it seems as though someone has deliberately walked him into the woods to abandon him.”

The brindle and white, adult male Staffie was unneutered and wasn’t microchipped.

“Thankfully he wasn’t injured and seemed to be in a good condition so I contacted the dog warden,” Rebecca added.

“He’s now being cared for by Kirklees dog warden so anyone who believes he may belong to them should contact the council.

“I understand that things are difficult right now and that there may be a very good reason for a family to need to give up their pet. But they should never have taken this poor boy into the woods and tied him to a tree and just left him. There are always other options and animal welfare organisations that can help. 

“Anyone with any information about who may be responsible for abandoning him in this way should contact our appeal line on 0300 123 8018.”

People can donate whatever they can spare at www.rspca.org.uk/covid