An animal welfare charity has launched an investigation after a dog was discovered abandoned by the side of the road 'like rubbish' with its claws forcibly removed.

The one-year-old spaniel was found dumped in a bush and covered in wounds by the A20 in Harrietsham on Tuesday.

The kind-hearted member of the public who found Flick, as she is now called, took her to a nearby vet who alerted the RSPCA.

Warning: Graphic images below

A spokesperson said: “She had no form of identification and isn’t microchipped so we’re unsure as to where she’s come from.

“And to simply abandon her by the side of the road like rubbish when she is clearly injured and in need of veterinary treatment is unbelievably shocking." -RSPCA spokesman

“She has a docked tail and some really nasty wounds on her feet and her legs. Vets believe she has had her claws forcibly and traumatically removed, while her legs are covered in pressure sores and urine scald.”

Declawing is illegal in England, under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Owners are only entitled to dock the tails of dogs who are certified working dogs under five-days-old or for medical reasons as recommended by a vet.

The spokesman continued: “To forcibly remove a dog’s claws is an abhorrent act and is illegal under animal welfare law in this country.”

“And to simply abandon her by the side of the road like rubbish when she is clearly injured and in need of veterinary treatment is unbelievably shocking."

The RSPCA wants to hear from anyone who knows where Flick may have come from or who might be responsible for injuring her and cruelly abandoning her.

If no one comes forward to claim Flick she has already been offered a loving new home by a member of staff at the veterinary hospital.

Anyone with any information should call the RSPCA's appeal line on 0300 123 8018.