The RSPCA is appealing for information about a small terrier found abandoned at a playing field in Hertfordshire.

The male white and tan terrier, named Dandy by RSPCA staff, was found by dog walkers at the bottom of the Harris Lane Playing Fields in Shenley last Thursday.

He had been tied to a gate in an unsheltered spot with no water, and was wearing a blue lead and collar.

Dandy was taken to the charity’s nearby Southridge Animal Centre, where he is still being cared for.

He was not microchipped or tagged and found to be a little underweight, dirty, and with sore skin but otherwise in good health.

RSPCA inspector Stephanie Law said: “We think he must have been out there in the intense heat for at least a few hours, with no water or shelter or any means to cool himself down.

“It is not acceptable to just dump a dog like this in any circumstances - but in such steaming conditions and high temperatures it was incredibly dangerous. It does not take much for an animal to suffer from heatstroke, especially a light coloured dog like Dandy. It is very important for them to be able to move into a cooler, more ventilated environment if they get hot.

The charity is now appealing for anyone with any information about who Dandy belongs to and how he why he was left to contact them on 0300 123 8018.

Anna White, manager at Southridge, said: “Dandy is still a little distressed from his ordeal but he is a great dog.

“His hair grows in a very distinctive way which took us all a bit by surprise. It is almost like a mohican - a ridge of three and a half centimetres along the top of his back. He will make the right person a brilliant pet when he is ready for rehoming.”

Dandy is not ready to be rehomed yet, but RSPCA staff hope he soon will be. Anyone interested should contact Southridge on 0300 123 0704.