A DOG that was found emaciated and bleeding tied to a road sign in Crewe after being abandoned by its owners has died.

The RSPCA is now appealing for information as part of an investigation into the death of the dog.

A woman spotted the large Dogue de Bordeaux abandoned in Birchall Walk on Tuesday morning.

She had been tied to the ‘Birchall Walk’ road sign with a blue lead.

The woman rushed the dog to a local vets before alerting the RSPCA.

Insp Andy Harris, who has launched an investigation, said: “The dog was in very poor condition and was extremely emaciated.

“Dogue de Bordeauxs are big, heavy dogs but you could see all of the ribs on this poor girl.

“When she was found she was also bleeding from her paws.

“She was rushed to a local vet and then referred to the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital but, sadly, she was in such bad condition that she died overnight.”

The animal welfare charity has now launched an investigation into the abandonment of the dog, thought to be around four-years-old, as well as how she came to be in such poor condition.

Staff at the hospital weighed her at just 36kg. Adult dogs of this breed should weigh between 55-65kg.

Vet Rachel Watkinson said: “This was a very sad case and this poor dog was in extremely bad shape.

“She was collapsed with swelling to her head and bruising around her mouth and mammary area.

“She had a body condition score was just one out of nine meaning her skeletal bones were visible and prominent.

“Sadly, she died within a few hours of arriving at the hospital despite our best attempts.”

Inspector Harris is keen to hear from anyone who may recognise the dog or know where she has come from, or from anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area at the time she was abandoned.

“It is a sad reality that the RSPCA often has to pick up the pieces when people can no longer care for their dogs properly,” Insp Harris said.

“Every year, we are called out to rescue hundreds of animals across England who have been abandoned, unwanted and unloved. In 2015, we collected 1,341 dogs who had been dumped.

“Unfortunately, many people do not do enough research before getting or dog and to not properly take into consideration the responsibility, commitment and cost involved with caring for one.

“It’s then left to charities like us to pick up the pieces when poor dogs like this Dogue de Bordeaux are left to suffer or dumped at the side of the road like rubbish. It’s shocking.”

Anyone with information should call the RSPCA’s inspector appeal line on 0300 123 8018.