Appeal after dog abandoned at railway station

The dog was left abandoned on a railway platform in Kidsgrove, the RSPCA said

The RSPCA is appealing for help to trace two people believed to have abandoned an underweight and severely matted dog on a railway platform in Staffordshire.

The charity said the female poodle cross was seen running along a platform at Kidsgrove Station on 16 February after a man and woman boarded a train with two other dogs.

They were heard telling her to "sit" and "wait", the charity said, before departing.

The dog was seen by vets at the charity's Greater Manchester Animal Hospital and had since been adopted, the charity said.

Her heavily matted coat was described as being "pungent" and she had to be sedated so it could be clipped and detangled.

The young adult dog, who was not microchipped, also had an eye infection.

"She was underweight and her coat was smelly and matted with thick dreadlocks," said animal rescue officer Fay Bowers.

"Thankfully, with the right care, she was soon back to full health and adopted quickly."

She added: "Members of the public who have reported what they saw happen were understandably shocked, and we'd like to thank the caring people who stopped to help."

The charity said it had been unable to access CCTV footage of the incident, but officers were still keen to hear from anyone who may have information to assist the investigation.