A DOG left tied to a telegraph pole has been shot dead after police could not trace its owner.

The elderly German Shepherd was described as “aggressive” and officers were despatched to try and calm the dog with members of the public advised to stay away from the scene for their own safety.

Cleveland Police were alerted about the dog tied to the post in Mainsforth Terrace, in Hartlepool, after being contacted by Hartlepool Borough Council at around 10.07am on Sunday morning.

The force issued an appeal "as a matter of urgency" to trace the German Shepherd’s owner and asked anyone with information to contact them via emergency number 999 – however no progress was made in tracing the owner.

The RSPCA were contacted, as well as a re-homing charity and various veterinary professionals who attempted to calm the dog, however the decision was taken to destroy it.

Witnesses reported that the dog had been shot, with Cleveland Police stating vets could not get close enough to the dog to sedate it.

Many members of the public criticised the decision to shoot the dog, however Cleveland Police have stated it was a decision "we had hoped we wouldn't have to make".

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: "The decision to destroy the dog has not been taken lightly and this was the very last course of action that we wanted to take.

"All attempts to calm the dog failed.

“Vets advised that they were unable to sedate the dog due to not being able to approach it and not having equipment to sedate from a distance.

“Unfortunately, veterinary professionals advised that the dog could not be re-homed due to its aggressive behaviour.

"The decision taken, in conjunction with the RSPCA and veterinary professionals, was that the kindest thing to do for the dog would be to destroy it.

“This has been a difficult decision and one that we had hoped we wouldn't have to make."