A DOG was left “absolutely terrified” when it was left abandoned outside of a care home in County Durham in the early hours of the morning.

The RSPCA is now examining CCTV footage after cameras captured a man ditching the confused animal.

The CCTV images show a man abandoning the Staffie cross – nicknamed Panda by staff – outside of the entrance to Parklands Care Home in Seaham at 5.10am on the morning of Thursday, October 10.

Staff found the frightened dog at 7am, checked the CCTV and then alerted the RSPCA to what had happened.

Inspector Cathy Maddison has since launched an investigation.

She said: “It was dark when he was abandoned but you can see a tall man with his hood up with Panda before he’s left.

“Panda was taken to the vet where staff found he was microchipped but his chip wasn’t registered.”

It is a legal requirement in England to have your dog microchipped and your details registered with a microchipping company so that if your dog goes missing you can be quickly reunited.

Insp Maddison suspects Panda’s owner has abandoned him when they could no longer look after him.

The Northern Echo: The black and white Staffie, nicknamed Panda by RSPCA staff, was abandoned outside of a care homeThe black and white Staffie, nicknamed Panda by RSPCA staff, was abandoned outside of a care home

“Unfortunately we respond to thousands of calls every year where an animal has been abandoned because their owner simply can’t take care of them anymore,” she said.

“Pets are a huge commitment and responsibility, and they can be expensive, so we find many dogs, cats, horses and other pets are abandoned every year.”

The RSPCA has now launched an investigation and is hoping to track down the person responsible for abandoning Panda.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the RSPCA’s appeal line on 0300-123-8018 and leave Insp Maddison a message.

“We’ve called him Panda due to his pretty black and white markings,” said Insp Maddison.

“He’s in fairly good condition and was wearing a smart, new red collar.

“Panda is a lovely boy but he’s obviously really confused and is absolutely terrified. It’s so sad.”

Panda was microchipped in 2016 and vet staff believe he’s about three-years-old.

To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care please visit www.rspca.org.uk/give.