AN RSPCA appeal has gone out to find the cruel people who drove a skeletal dog to a street in the Oldham area and then kicked him out the car before callously leaving him.

A resident putting his bin out reported seeing the dog getting dumped in Hall Street, Royton, on Thursday, January 10 at about 8pm and witnessed the car drive off towards Middleton Road.

The concerned resident was shocked at the emaciated condition of the Staffy-cross and gave him food and water and covered him in a blanket while he alerted the local dog warden.

The eye-witness said he saw a man, dressed in dark clothing, in the back of the vehicle kick the dog out of the back door of a gun-metal grey BMW.

He was unable to give any further description of the man as it was dark and was also unable to see who was driving the vehicle.

The local dog warden collected the frightened dog and a microchip was found which revealed the pooch was called Winston and also gave details of his last registered owner.

Inspector Jessica Arajo, who is investigating, contacted the owner but she said she had given the dog away 10 months ago and gave details of the new owner.

However, when that person was contacted they said they had also given the dog away in November but had no details as to who took him on.

Inspector Arajo said: “I am very keen to trace the last person responsible for keeping this poor dog. It is a really callous act to dump such a vulnerable dog in a dark street.

“He was terrified and very skinny and his hips, ribs and spine were clearly visible so had not been fed properly for some time.

“I am hoping someone will recognise this dog because he is so thin and he also has distinct white patch on his chest. I really need someone to identify his last owner.”

Winston is now being cared for at the local authority’s Manchester and Cheshire Dog’s Home.

Anyone with information who dumped Winston or who was his recent owner should call the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018.