A GERMAN shepherd dog was found abandoned and tied to a tree on a Basingstoke industrial estate yesterday.

A worker on the Houndmills Industrial Estate heard the animal barking throughout the night, and discovered him tucked back in woodland.

The adult male dog, named Dougie by RSPCA staff, was hungry and thirsty after being left with no food, water or shelter, and there was no note left with him.

He was tied to a tree by his lead.

RSPCA inspector Jan Edwards said Dougie was only found because he was heard barking.

She added: “He wasn’t visible from the road and I’m so grateful to the gentleman who had heard barking from about 9pm until 6am in the morning. When he finished his shift he went to find out where the barks were coming from.

“If it wasn’t for him, this poor dog might not have been found. It was extremely cold and frosty on the night he was abandoned.

“He is a lovely dog, but he was clearly still very distressed when I went to collect him.”

The RSPCA is now following up on some leads, after a scan revealed Dougie was microchipped and originally called Shadow.

Inspector Edwards added: “The details were for someone in Somerset who said they had given him to someone else, who then claimed they had given him to someone else. It is clear this boy has been passed from pillar to post.

“He’s now been renamed Dougie and was taken to a vet for a check-up, but he appears to be in good health so hopefully his future looks a little brighter now.”

Anyone with information about the dog is asked to call the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018 and leave a message for Inspector Edwards.