The eight-week-old spaniel puppy was found tied to a road sign near the RSPCA's Block Fen animal centre.

AN EIGHT-WEEK-OLD spaniel puppy has been found tied to a road sign on the lane leading to the RSPCA’s Block Fen animal centre.

The chocolate-coloured female spaniel was found by a dog walker tied to a metal ‘passing place’ sign by an oversized red slip lead.

She is about eight weeks old and is suffering from an inguinal hernia in her groin.

Jackie Williams, RSPCA manager of Block Fen animal centre, near Wimblington, said: “We have called her Freya and she is eating well and full of life.

“Like all spaniels she is a handful, needing lots of attention and training.

“We are hoping a vet can repair the hernia and then she will be put up for rehoming.”

RSPCA inspector Jon Knight said: “I am hoping someone will have seen who left her there. We have no idea how long she was tied to the post before she was found.

“The cold we have been experiencing means that anything left out, especially a baby animal which may not be able to regulate its temperature properly, is put in a life threatening position.”

• If you have any information which will help inspectors find the person who did this call, in confidence, the RSPCA’s inspector information line on 0300 123 8018.