(THE VIDEO CAN BE SEEN AT THE LINK BELOW THE PICTURE)

Man caught on CCTV abandoning lame dog
Published: 2:41PM BST 21 Sep 2010

The moment a man drove off leaving his dog limping after him has been captured on CCTV.
In the video, a man appears to get out of his car to take his dog for a walk, but he then turns on his heel and strides back to his car, leaving the Shetland cross terrier behind.

The incident on Thursday afternoon was witnessed by staff in office blocks overlooking the Granby Industrial Estate car park in Weymouth, Dorset.

The man left in what appeared to be a metallic blue Mazda or Kia Rio car and CCTV is being analysed to try to identify the registration number.

Steve Sudworth, an employee at the British Marine Technology centre adjacent to the carpark, witnessed the incident:

"I happened to see the man and dog walk towards the woods behind our building but didn't think anything of it," he said.

"After a few seconds I saw the man walking very fast back to the car and he jumped in.

"I thought he was going to shout for the dog but the car started reversing and pulled out of the car park fast.

"The dog tried to follow the car but couldn't because of the limp."

The dog, nicknamed Ginger, has been taken to a local kennel and is waiting to be rehomed.

Council bosses have appealed to the public to help identify the man.

The maximum sentence for causing a dog unnecessary suffering is six months in prison and/or a £20,000 fine.

:: Anyone with any information on the owner should call Weymouth and Portland Borough Council on 01305 838009.