A BLACK Labrador is looking for a new owner after it was found tied to a tree and "very frightened", in West Wickham, on Valentine's Day.

The miserable canine was discovered by passers-by, in Addington Park, West Wickham, and was practically bald across his back and between his back legs.

He was rescued by RSPCA inspector Becca Driver and taken for veterinary treatment.

Inspector Driver said: "This was a very callous act. When I rescued this poor dog he was very frightened and clearly upset by the whole incident.

"If someone does not want their pet any longer they should not dump it." The RSPCA does not know how long he was left, but it could have been over night.

The RSPCA recently launched a campaign, Down in the Dumps, to highlight the problem of abandoned animals in the capital. It dealt with 240 abandoned animals between September and December 2001.