Angry animal-lovers will no doubt be wishing some people could be put down too after a dog discovered in a pitiful state in a Worcestershire village had to be destroyed.

The German shepherd cross found weak, emaciated and with two large tumours on its body had been neglected and then probably dumped, according to the RSPCA.

Now the hunt is on to find the dog's owner in case other animals in his or her possession are suffering similar ill-treatment.

This horrific story came to light just days after the animal welfare laws were beefed up.

Pet owners now have a statutory duty to make sure their animals are fed, watered, exercised and free to express their natural behaviour.

Of course, most people don't need to be told how to look after their pets.

The vast majority of dogs in this nation of animal lovers are treated like a member of the family.

But other people, such as the owner of the animal in today's tragic story, should never be allowed to keep pets.

Now, thankfully, the law makes it easier for those people to be prosecuted and punished appropriately.

We therefore appeal to anyone who has seen the dog pictured on page four before to get in touch with the police, their local authority dog warden or the RSPCA's national cruelty and advice line on 08705 555999 as soon as possible.

Any information they provide could help trace its owner and ensure that no other pet suffers the same fate.