An appeal has been launched after a dog was found shaved and dumped in the snow in Midlothian.
The Scottish SPCA was called after a member of the public found the dog abandoned on top of a 6ft hedge in Gorebridge on Tuesday.
Rescue officers believe the male dog to be a cream and tan saluki. The dog had had all its fur shaved off and had been left to freeze to death.
Scottish SPCA inspector Fiona Thorburn said: “This was an extremely callous act and the dog is incredibly lucky that he was spotted.
“Salukis are thin dogs who feel the cold anyway but without any fur for protection it’s likely he would have succumbed to the elements within a day or so if he hadn’t been found.
“The dog is a young male who is not neutered and who we believe is cream and tan in colour.
“We believe he may have been shaved in an attempt to disguise his breed as salukis are quite distinctive-looking dogs.
“He has been taken to one of our animal rescue and rehoming centres where he is receiving lots of care and a warm bed.”
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