AN investigation has been launched after an extremely skinny dog was found roaming around a North Yorkshire town.

The Labrador-cross type dog was found straying in Malton on Monday morning and was collected by the local dog warden who took him to nearby kennels.

The RSPCA was alerted due to the senior dog’s poor condition.

RSPCA Inspector Claire Little, now investigating, said: “The dog is an 11-year-old crossbreed called Bailey.

“He is microchipped but, sadly, the contact details are out of date and enquiries are ongoing to establish where his owners are now.

“We’d like to speak to his owners as he is in a really poor condition. Blood tests showed he’s anaemic and he’s severely underweight, weighing just 17kg when he should weigh between 30-35kg.

“His hip bones are clearly visible and you can see all the bones in his spine.”

In England, it is a legal requirement to have dogs microchipped, registered with an online database and contacts details kept up-to-date.

Bailey is now being cared for by staff at the RSPCA’s York Animal Home while inspectors investigate.

“I’d like to appeal to the public for help in tracking down who is responsible for letting poor Bailey get into such a state,” Inspector Little said. Call 0300 123 8018.