A STARVING dog left tied up and abandoned outside a pub in the cold has died.

The severely emaciated Rottweiler was being cared for at the RSPCA kennels in Patcham when it collapsed.

Despite the efforts of vets and the RSPCA staff, the dog, nicknamed Hero, was in such a poor condition that he was not strong enough to survive.

RSPCA Patcham manager Jenny Wells said: “It was heartbreaking.

“He was putting on weight slowly, but because he had been starved his body was simply not working properly – irrevocable damage had been done.

“He collapsed and was rushed to a vet who advised that he should be put to sleep to end his suffering.”

The charity has now renewed its appeal for information on two women who were caught on CCTV camera leaving the dog outside the Crown Hotel in Littlehampton in December.

Hero weighed less than half his normal body weight when he was abandoned by the women, pictured below, one of whom was believed to be heavily pregnant.

Anyone with information about the incident, or about the women involved, is being asked to call the RSPCA, which is still investigating the case.

The Argus: A still from CCTV of the women who abandoned the dogA still from CCTV of the women who abandoned the dog

People can call the charity in confidence on 0300 1234999.

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