A dog has died after it was found seriously ill after being abandoned by suspected puppy farmers.

Animal welfare investigators are now appealing for information after the Patterdale Terrier was rescued from Istead Rise by a member of the public.

The black dog was taken into the care of Animal Protection Services and was found to have a severe gastrointestinal infection.

She was so unwell that she later had to be put to sleep by vets.

An animal welfare investigator – who cannot be named due to the sensitive covert operations carried out by the charity – said: "The dog was in the worst condition I have ever seen. The dog was terribly emaciated and full of worms.

"Vets made every effort to save her life but unfortunately her condition was so poor that she had to be put to sleep."

Investigators are appealing for any doorbell or dash cam footage from the area of Brookshire Road, Istead Rise, which captures the dog on or around January 10.

The man suspected of abandoning the animal has been described as white, in his 30s, medium build, with dark brown hair and possibly from the Gravesend area.

Anyone with information should call Animal Protection Services on 020 4534 2786 or send information by email to info@animalprotectionservices.org. Information can be passed to the charity anonymously.

A reward of £1,000 is on offer to anyone who provides information which leads to a successful conviction.