AN appeal has been launched to track down the owner of an injured puppy found in an alleyway.

The dog was found to the rear of Jackson Street in Brotton, near Saltburn on Sunday afternoon.

The RSPCA said the tiny bitch, thought to be aged around four-weeks-old and far too young to be away from her mother, was found by a member of the public.

RSPCA inspector Emma Stainthorpe said: “The dog has suffered what appear to be some kind of burns to her face, neck and feet which have become badly infected and must have been causing her a lot of pain.

“I got her straight to the vets where she’s been being treated ever since.”

The puppy, named ‘Orphan Annie’ by those caring for her, is so young she is having to be bottle fed every four hours.

She added: “She is in the very best place and is getting the very best care.

“She has been with us for two nights now so the signs are good, but she’s certainly not out of the woods yet. Puppies shouldn’t leave their mother until they’re eight weeks old really, then of course there are the injuries too.”

‘Orphan Annie’ is described as brindle-coloured and most probably a lurcher-type. At the moment there is no way of establishing where she came from.

Anyone who recognises her and knows who owns her or who saw anything suspicious should call the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999 and ask to leave a message for Inspector Stainthorpe.