An adorable dog has pulled on the nation’s heartstrings after it was found abandoned in a crate with an emotional note from its owner.

The dog, thought to be a Staffordshire Bull Terriercross called Spud, was found on July 29. The hound, believed to be around four or five-years-old was found in a crate in the Wirral in Merseyside.

Alongside the dog was a note left by its owner, who explained that they could not give Spud the home he deserved. They described Spud as a “really loving house dog” but admitted they could not “give him the life he deserves”.

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The former owners also said they had been trying to re-home Spud for weeks, but without success, and apologised “for resorting to this”.

Following the discovery of Spud, he was taken to Jackson’s Animal Rescue by good samaritans were he was found to be suffering from fur loss and claws that were growing into his pads.

Although he was microchipped, the device was found not to be working and he has since been fostered by a vet to continue his recovery.

In a statement, Animal Rescue Officer Lucy Welch of the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital, described how sweet and gentle Spud was despite his previous circumstances.

She said: “Spud is a lovely, gentle natured dog. All he wanted to do was sit on my lap and have a cuddle and be showered with affection. He was very polite to the other dogs he saw at the hospital and walked really nicely on a lead when I took him to my van.

“His overgrown claws are an indication he’d probably not had enough exercise. They were growing into his pads which were red and sore - possibly from urine staining - and he would have been left feeling very uncomfortable.

“I’d like to say a huge thank you to the person who found Spud and took him to a place of safety, to Jackson’s Animal Rescue for kindly transporting him for initial treatment, and to the veterinary teams who provided wonderful care.”

Despite the fact that Spud adapted quickly to his new environment, Lucy caveated that he had still been distressed by what had happened to him.

She said: “Being on his own in a crate in an unfamiliar environment would have been a distressing experience for Spud and it’s heartbreaking to think of him being left to fend for himself.

“We’d plead with people to seek help and advice from appropriate organisations if they are experiencing difficulties and not to abandon their pets in vulnerable situations like this. It was a remote location and we could be looking at any number of possible scenarios had he not been found.”

What’s more, Lucy also highlighted how, due to the rising cost of living, many people can find the expense of looking after a pet prohibitive. Sometimes they do not find out the extent of the costs until after the pet has arrived.

She explained: “Our Animal Kindness Index showed us that costs remain a concern for many pet owners - while issues like pet behaviour can be another challenge - but, whatever the reason, abandoning an animal like this is never acceptable.

“There’s help out there, and the RSPCA website - including our pet care and cost of living hub - is a one-stop shop to help owners who may be struggling financially.”

Data from the RSPCA’s Animal Kindness Index found that more than half of pet owners, 52 percent, were worried about the cost of vet bills and the impact of them being able to afford animals they adore and love.