A callous pet owner was captured dumping a defenceless dog on roadside in video which has moved people to tears.
The unidentified motorist was seen leaving the small pooch behind a wall after pulling over and checking to see they weren't being watched.
The heart-wrenching scene is made worse by the confused and distressed pet is seen jumping up attempting to watch the man drive off.
CCTV of the horrifying moment was shared by a local animal welfare charity after nearby residents on the street in Limerick, Ireland, contacted them out of concern for the poor pup.
It comes as charities here in the UK have been seeing increased reports of pets being abandoned, with soaring costs blamed partly for the disturbing figures.
"CCTV captured this person callously dumping their little dog over the wall and driving away, leaving the poor dog jumping up trying to get back to the owner," charity Limerick Animal Welfare(LAW) told Cork Beo.
"Sadly the car drives away leaving the abandoned dog, discarded, for someone else to pick up the pieces. The dog is coming to LAW tomorrow (Monday)."
Thousands of people took on new pets during the pandemic, with many animal welfare charities such as the RSPCA suspecting this may also be a reason for a rise in abandonments.
Since life for many has returned to normal some pet owners, it would appear, have decided that an animal companion was not for them.
Animal groups are appealing to people who are no longer able to care for their pets to bring them to a local charity to be rehoused.
LAW said it would now attempt to rehome the abandoned dog.
The incident caught on camera was already the second instance of a dog being abandoned in Limerick recently, after the charity heartbreakingly revealed a malnourished canine was discovered chained to a tree in a nearby suburb.
The charity said: "The dog found chained to a tree this morning is now safe at LAW. We have named him Jack. The cruelty continues.
“Jack looks like he has lived his life on a chain. His body condition is very poor as his coat hides the bones sticking out of his body. Jack’s coat is dry, full of natts and dirty.
"Jack will now be treated for parasites, vaccinated, and will be neutered when he has gained weight."
