An investigation is underway after a Staffordshire bull terrier was found with a suspected stab wound.

The tan-coloured dog was found in a distressed state tied to railings at around 7.30am on Wednesday in Murston Road, Sittingbourne.

Charlotte Packham, a nurse at SittiVets, rushed to its aid after receiving a call at the surgery in Castle Road, Murston.

She brought it back to the centre where the wound on its left shoulder, which measured 5cm long by 1cm wide and approximately half an inch deep, was treated.

The animal is believed to be between five and six.

Nurse Jade Agius said: “He was a lovely dog, a little bit scared obviously. We believe it to be a stab wound, it didn’t look like he’d caught it on anything.

"We weren’t able to stitch it because it could cause an abscess but we managed to clean it and put some staples in it and give him some antibiotics and anti-inflammatories.

“We were able to take him for a walk after his treatment and he was fine."

“We’ve not seen anything like this before. We have no idea how it happened. We can’t say for definite it was a stab wound but even if it wasn’t it’s not something you can leave. He would have needed medical treatment at some point.

"That may be why he was left by his owner, because they weren’t able to afford it.”

Swale council’s dog warden collected the dog same day.

He is currently staying at Jasmil Kennels in Lower Halstow where staff have named him Thomas.

The local authority is appealing for witnesses to come forward in a bid to find the owner and establish what happened to it. There was no microchip.

A spokesman said: “If anyone has any information about where it came from or anything that could help with our investigations please contact us 01795 417850 or email ert@swale.gov.uk”

A spokesman for the RSPCA added: “This is an horrific incident. We will assist the council in anyway we can with its investigation.”