A terrified dog was tied to a tree beside an Eltham dual carriageway and abandoned in the rain with fireworks going off around him, the RSPCA says.

The two-year-old crossbreed, named by his rescuers as Sparkle, was found tied beside Rochester Way near Falconwood train station at around 7pm on November 8.

It was raining heavily and there were several firework displays going off nearby.

According to the RSPCA, witnesses saw a boy and a man tie the dog to the tree on a grass verge with a piece of rope.

A person who spotted what was happening turned their car around, went back to the dog, called the RSPCA and waited with Sparkle until they arrived.

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RSPCA inspector Nick Wheelhouse said: "Sparkle was absolutely petrified, and no wonder.

"Fireworks can cause animals extreme stress at the best of times, and this poor dog was not only stranded in the middle of displays going off all around her, but also abandoned on her own at night right next to an incredibly busy London road. If this was not enough, it was also pouring with rain.

"Thank goodness this kind member of the public saw her being dumped, or it would have been very hard to spot her in the pitch black. I have no doubt she would have been stuck there, in complete terror, all night.

"As it was we were able to cut short Sparkle’s ordeal and take her into our care. She is still extremely nervous after her traumatic experience, unsurprisingly, but getting better and brighter every day. 

"Hopefully she will soon have her sparkle back."

Anyone with any information should call the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018. Sparkle is not yet ready to be rehomed, but it is hoped that after some care she will be.