ANIMAL welfare officers have confirmed they have been called out after receiving complaints about a dog in Barrow which is repeatedly found alone in the street.

The Evening Mail was contacted by a number of residents concerned for the welfare of the animal.

The dog has also been taken in by Evening Mail staff on occasion when it has been found roaming the streets around the Abbey Road office.

A growing number of posts on the Barrow-in-Furness Lost and Found Pets page on Facebook have referred to residents finding the dog and believing it to be hungry and abandoned.

One dog lover told the Evening Mail: "It seems to be out on the streets all the time, it's always being found and it seems very timid. I just want the poor thing to be off the street."

The Evening Mail contacted the RSPCA, which has now confirmed a welfare officer has spoken to the owner about the dog.

A spokeswoman for the charity said: "An RSPCA officer has been to check on this dog's welfare after a call to our cruelty line.

"The dog is fine, and the owner has been given advice on the law in respect of straying and given a voucher from RSPCA Furness and Barrow branch to have the dog neutered.

"Whilst stray dogs are the responsibility of the local authority, of course we are concerned to hear that a dog's needs may not be being met or they may be being caused to suffer and will always do our best to look into any allegations that are made to us."

Anyone concerned about the welfare of an animal can report it to the RSPCA at www.rspca.org.uk or by calling their national 24-hour helpline on 0300 1234 999.

The Barrow-in-Furness Lost and Found Pets page on Facebook can be found HERE .