An injured dog was found dumped with a note around its neck to a new owner.

The female Staffordshire bull terrier, named Duchess, was found tied to a lamppost in the Roundshaw Estate in Wallington last Friday.

He had cuts beneath its eyes, on its head and behind its ear, which the owner claimed was from fighting their other dog, who would not share its toys.

It said the owner had a small child and was scared the child would get hurt.

The note said: “I am a good dog. I love people but I do jump up and sometimes bump heads when I am so excited."

It also said: "My wo(u)nds have been cleaned with salt water. I eat anythink. Roste pot, meat, dog food, veg, bread and butter, banana, grapes and apple if cut up. (sic)"

The council branded the owner abandoning of the dog "irresponsible and selfish".

The animal welfare expert who treated the dog warned it may have been dumped after its owner abandoned plans to breed it.

He said: "If the dog was aggressive it's because the way the owner treated it. Its a lovely dog and did not deserve this."

He said abandoning of dogs was a worsening problem in Sutton, especially in tough economic conditions.

He said about 200 stray dogs were found each year, 40 per cent that were abandoned.

The owner of the dog faces prosecution, and the council is appealing for information to help find them.

Councillor Colin Hall, Sutton Council’s spokesman on environment, said: “Dumping a dog in this way is irresponsible and selfish.

"If you find you can’t cope with a dog, you don’t abandon it - you take it to a rescue centre or contact the RSPCA; you don’t tie it to a lamppost and walk off.

“We have to spend tens of thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ money every year looking after stray and lost dogs and that is simply not fair.

"Owning a dog is a rewarding experience but it is also a big responsibility."

If you have information about Duchess - or could offer her a new home - contact Sutton Council on 020 8770 5070.