AN animal sanctuary is hunting for the owner of an abandoned dog ravaged by cancer.

The rotweiller was found collapsed on the pavement of Pegasus Road in Blackbird Leys, Oxford, on Thursday, May 13.

His lower jaw was covered in a huge tumour and hewas so weak he could no longer walk.

When the dog was taken to Cufa’s Lea Veterinary Centre in Cowley, vets had no option but to put the dog down to save it from further pain.

Vet Alison Baxter said it was the worst case she had ever seen.

She said: “It was emaciated and really thin. It was very weak and was hardly able to stand.

“It had a grossly swollen face, blood was dripping from its mouth, and it had faeces plastered over its back.

“It had a foul smell from its mouth and, when I examined it, it had an extremely large tumour on the right side of its face in the lower jaw, about the size of a grapefruit.

“I cannot think of another dog I have seen recently as bad as that.

“It was shocking.”

Now Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary, which relies on public donations, wants to track its owner to take them to court.

Warden Maggie Whalley said she had never seen a dog so ill-treated.

She said: “The poor dog was in a horrendous condition.

“When he was found, he was just curled up, laid down on the pavement. He was so weak it was hard work getting him into our van.

“The weight of him was nothing. He was just skin and bone.

“You could see all the bones in his poor little face, and every bone in his body. It must have taken months to get in that condition.”

The dog, which is thought to have been about 10 years old, had just a rusty chain around his collar.

Miss Whalley added: “The poor dog must have really suffered. He had no chance.

“Someone must have seen this dog. Some neighbour must know something about who let it get into this state.

“Any owner should have taken him to the vet, or taken him to someone like ourselves.”

Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, pet owners found guilty of animal cruelty or welfare offences could face a £20,00 fine or a six-month prison sentence.

l Anyone with information about the dog or who wants to donate to the sanctuary should call Maggie Whalley on 01865 890239 lsloan@oxfordmail.co.uk