A YOUNG dog was cruelly dumped in a wood in the middle of the night – and it is thought poachers may be responsible.

The Staffordshire-lurcher cross was abandoned in Mailscott Wood near Hillersland, Coleford at around 2.30am on Sunday (March 19).

Mr Brian Robbins, who lives near the wood, said he was woken by the sound of car or van engine.

He said: “The car or van sped off and about five minutes later there was an almighty howl which lasted for about 35 seconds.”

Mr Robbins said when he eventually found the female, which is about two-years-old, it took some time for him to coax it to him.

“The vet said it was a Staffordshire crossed with a lurcher. It had a lovely temperament.”

Mr Robbins contacted Greyhound Rescue at Christchurch and the dog was taken to a kennel in Clements End. Arrangements are being made for it to be re-homed.

He added: “She is a lovely-looking dog and very friendly.

“Thank goodness we found her and we got it to the right people.

“It was pitiful to see the dog in such a state and I can’t understand how anyone could just abandon a dog like that in the middle of the night.”

Mr Robbins said there had been poachers targeting boar in the area and he thought that they might be responsible for dumping the dog.

He said he wanted to warn other people that this sort of cruelty is happening in the Forest.