A STARVED dog found tied to a park bench was probably used for country sports and discarded for being too old, the RSPCA said last night.

The tan-coloured whippet called Pete — believed to be between eight and ten-years-old — was found next to the war memorial on the village green in Standlake Road, Ducklington, on Sunday.

He had been tied to the bench by nine feet of washing line for about three hours and was so thin his spine, ribs and hip bones were visible.

RSPCA inspector Doug Davidson, came to his rescue at about 5pm after being alerted by a good samaritan.

He said the dog was suffering from pressure sores to his back legs and spine, suggesting he may have been kept in a small pen or container for some time.

Mr Davidson said: “He was timid and shivering, it was getting chilly about then, but he perked up a bit when we got him in a nice warm kennel.

“He had got himself twisted around the leg of the bench and at one stage appeared to have jumped over it so he could have inadvertently done himself some damage.

“He was not the thinnest dog I’ve seen, but he was underweight. I think half-starved is a fair phrase.”

The dog was wearing an old red leather collar, but had no tag or microchip.

Mr Davidson said: “Someone may have just got fed up with him for economic reasons and just tied him up in the middle of the green and hoped someone spotted him and took him home.

“What is more likely is he could have been a country sport dog used for rabbiting or hare coursing. He is a middle aged dog and it may be that he was callously abandoned because he is past his best.”

The dog, who was named Pete by the person who found him, was taken to a vet for treatment. He will be moved to an RSPCA centre near Aylesbury today, and it is hoped he will be rehomed.

Mr Davidson added: “Despite Pete’s desperately poor condition, he is very friendly and placid. He’s obviously known a great deal of hardship in his recent life and we need to find out who dumped him.

“It’s a very callous, irresponsible and illegal act and anyone proved to have abandoned the dog can face a fine or be disqualified from keeping animals.”

Call the RSPCA confidentially on 0300 1234999.

eallen@oxfordmail.co.uk