A DOG which was found wandering around Bolton on its own in a "terrible way" was put to sleep after suffering with a large tumour and a severe wound on her hip.

The Staffordshire bull terrier was found by a resident on Threlkeld Road on Friday, July 17 and the RSPCA was contacted due to the poor condition of the dog.

RSPCA inspector Jessica Araujo took the dog to a vet, who made the heartbreaking decision to put her to sleep due to the severity of the wound and the tumour.

The animal rescue charity is now appealing for information to trace the dog's owner to understand why she was in such poor health.

RSPCA inspector Jessica Araujo said: “This poor dog was in a terrible way – she was thin and had a big, open necrotic wound on her left hip which looks like it had been there for a long time, as well as a large tumour on the left side of her body.

“It’s so sad when animals can’t be saved because of how ill they have become due to neglect.

“This poor dog was left to suffer for a long time.

"I am appealing for information so we can find the owner of this dog and look further into what happened.”

If you have any information contact the RSPCA’s appeals line on 0300 123 8018.