An infected dog found wandering on a road covered in faeces and believed to be pregnant has been put down.

The liver and white coloured female springer spaniel was spotted by two men on Manchester Road in Baxenden with 'shocking' leg injuries.

She was taken to see vets at the RSPCA centre in Altham however after a week of treatment was put to sleep.

Inspector Charlotte Brooker said: “She was caked in either farm or horse excrement and it was all in her ears.

“They initially thought it was that bad that they were going to have to amputate her leg. Then they decided they could treat her on antibiotics.

“After a weeks worth of treatment they decided she wasn't getting any better and it just wasn't fair so they put her to sleep.

“Her leg was a mess. It was shocking and really, really not nice to see.”

Charlotte said the infection in her leg was either from her dew claw or a cut that had not been treated for a long time.

She said: “They said it was there for a long time to get that badly infected and she obviously suffered from that.

“There is a very strong possibility that she was pregnant as she had quite a big belly.

“She was without doubt an outside dog and was definitely not kept in a house.

“She's either been wandering around for a while or possibly been abandoned and the owner has not sought vet treatment.”

Charlotte said the dog had no microchip or identification and is appealing for anyone with information about her or its owner to call 0300 1234 999.