DOG owners have been warned they risk a hefty bill or prosecution if they abandon their pets.

It comes after a Staffordshire bull terrier was left tied to a gate in Cranleigh Close, Clacton.

Tendring Council dog warden Allen East was called to help the animal, which was micro-chipped.

Mr East managed to contact the person on the chip, who said she had given her pet away two months previously – but she did not know to whom.

The dog was taken to kennels and it is hoped a new home can be found for him.

Mr East said: “We have had issues with dogs being dumped in the past, especially this breed, but it always gets worse around Christmas time. People are feeling the financial pressures and find they cannot afford their dog.

“However, it is simply not acceptable to abandon them and action will be taken if we have the evidence to do so.

“In this case, it would have been difficult to take the matter further, but the woman should have at least made sure the owner’s details were updated if she had given it away.”

In the past couple of weeks a number of owners have contacted the wardens in an effort to hand over their pets.

Mr East said: “One woman said, ‘we don’t want it so you can have it’, but that is not what we are here for.”

An American bulldog, a shar pei and a Japanese spitz have all been found dumped in recent days by the wardens.

Nick Turner, councillor responsible for the environment, said: “We will always take a strong line and do all we can to trace any owner who has abandoned their dog and give them back.

“There may be a cost involved once we find them and the RSPCA has the power to prosecute anyone who abandons a dog.”

Tendring Council said it had successfully traced and billed owners for their time and wasting public money.

Anyone who witnesses a dog being dumped, call the wardens on 01255 686338.