A dog has been found abandoned in a dog exercise area in Folkestone.

The labrador-cross was seen overnight last week shut into the area at Radnor Park and its rope lead thrown into a hedge.

He is now safely in kennels and is waiting to be re-united with his owners – or found a new home.

The dog is between 18 months and two years old and is taller and slimmer than a purebred labrador. He has a narrow streak of white on his chest.

He is very anxious and appears frightened of men.

The dog is one of 20 being looked after by a local kennel which takes in strays for Shepway, Dover and Thanet councils. Thirteen of the dogs are staffordshire bull terriers, the most numerous unwanted dog in England.

Cllr Alan North, Shepway cabinet member for the environment, reiterated pleas for owners to be more responsible and for people to think carefully before taking on a dog.

He said: “People seem to put more thought into buying a lump of metal on wheels than they do a living, feeling creature.

"It’s great to own a dog – but it comes with a huge commitment in terms of time and money. If you’re not prepared to invest that time and money – don’t get a dog.

“If you are a dog owner, make sure your dog always wears a collar with an identity tag and has an identity microchip so that it can be returned to you if it escapes.

"And if you are ever in a position where you cannot keep your dog, don’t just dump it, contact the Dogs Trust or other animal welfare charities.”

Anyone who knows the dog’s owner is asked to ring the council’s customer services team on 01303 858660.