A dog covered in his own faeces and urine had to be put to sleep after he was found dumped in a country road.

The RSPCA is appealing for information after the spaniel-type dog was found by a passer-by in Green Court Road, Crockenhill, Swanley at about 10.15pm on Tuesday, June 21.

Thought to be around six-years-old, the black and white dog was in a terrible state - abandoned in a crate, with a small bowl of water, no food or any kind of bedding.

The RSPCA was called and took the dog to a vet, who advised that the kindest thing to do was put him to sleep to end his suffering.

RSPCA Inspector Ellen Thomas said: "I picked him up and took him to the vet where it was confirmed the dog was paralysed from the waist down.

"He had clearly been like this some time as he had pressure sores on his back legs and his hair had grown long through the pads of his back legs where they weren't being used.

"He had faeces stuck to his back end where he could not go to the toilet properly due to being paralysed. His legs were covered in urine and it appeared he'd been in this state for some time."

She added: "While at the vets, I held the dog and stroked him and it was so obvious how desperate he was for attention, it was just heartbreaking."

How the dog came to be paralysed is unknown, but it is thought it could have been due to an old untreated injury.

Inspector Thomas said: "I will do all I can to find out why this poor dog was treated in such a terrible way, I am so saddened that he was left in such a terrible state.

"I want to find the owner of this dog and investigate not only why he was dumped and left to fend for himself on a dark country road, but also why he has been left in such a physical mess for such a long time."

The RSPCA would like to speak to a 0300 123 8018.nyone who knows anything about him or where he came from. Call