'Even the smallest detail could help' - RSPCA appeal for information after dog tied to pole and abandoned in Elland
An emaciated dog found tied to a telegraph pole in Elland has prompted an RSPCA appeal for information.
The brown Mastiff-type dog was discovered by a passerby on Thomas Street in Elland, and the RSPCA are keen to trace a woman seen in the area at the time he was found.
RSPCA animal rescue officer Hannah Westen, who attended the scene, said: “This poor dog was extremely underweight – his ribs and spine were clearly visible and he was in a very bad condition.
“He had skin issues, wounds to his face, a broken nail and urine scalding.
“It’s heartbreaking to think he was simply tied up and left like that.
“Thankfully, a concerned member of the public stepped in quickly to get him veterinary treatment.”
The dog was initially taken to West Mount Vets in West Vale – after he was found at between 1.50pm and 2.50pm on February 3 – before being transferred to their Halifax practice for ongoing care.
The RSPCA is now calling for a woman in a grey tracksuit, who was seen in the area at the time and may have important information, to come forward and support the charity’s enquiries.
She is seen on CCTV walking from Thomas Street onto Dewsbury Road towards the bridge, where she got into a small red van and left the area. The van’s registration number is not known.
RSPCA inspector Joanne Taylor, who is leading the investigation, said: “This dog was found in a shocking condition.
"He was extremely underweight and had a number of untreated health issues.
"Abandoning an animal in this way is completely unacceptable.
“We have carried out extensive local enquiries and reviewed available CCTV, but we are now asking for the public’s help.
"We believe someone in the area may recognise the woman described or have information about the red van seen collecting her – and we think she could have information which may help us.
“If you have any information about who this dog belongs to, the identity of the woman seen on Thomas Street, or the red van and its driver, please contact us.
"Even the smallest detail could help.”
Unfortunately the RSPCA has so far been unable to identify the person responsible for abandoning the dog, so they are asking anyone who may have information to come forward.
The charity is also aware of speculation on social media naming a specific individual in connection with this incident – that person has been fully discounted from the investigation and is not linked to this dog.
The RSPCA urges people not to speculate or engage in online harassment, and instead to share any genuine information directly with them – by contacting the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018 and referring to incident number 01729029.
The RSPCA continues to receive thousands of reports about abandoned animals each year - up to the end of October last year, 24,270 incidents about an animal being abandoned had been raised with the charity's emergency line, up from 19,727 in the first ten months of 2024.