THIS is the heartbreaking moment a dog desperately chased its owner's car after being left for dead at Christmas at the side of the road.

Distressing CCTV footage shows the black and white Staffordshire bull terrier being abandoned by its cruel owner in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs.

As the owner runs back to the car, the faithful pooch follows him and jumps up and down at the window.

But he drives off - leaving the dog, believed to be around two years old, to fruitlessly chase the car down.

The pup was thankfully found by a passer-by an hour later in his bed - which the owner also dumped - and is now being cared for the RSPCA, who named him "Snoop".

RSPCA inspector Natalie Perehovsky is now investigating and is appealing to the public for any information about the men responsible for dumping the "friendly and lovely" dog.

They say the footage was recorded at around 5pm on December 17 at the corner of Timor Grove and Pacific Road and confirmed they are hunting two men - the second of whom was the driver.

Inspector Perehovsky said: "The footage has to be seen to be believed, it's just awful.

"To see the poor dog in such obvious distress jumping up at the car as it drives away it just heartbreaking.

"He's currently being cared for at a private boarding kennels where he will get all the care he needs whilst I investigate further.

"Anyone who recognises the vehicle, the dog or the men in the footage can contact me in complete confidence, by leaving me a message on our inspector's appeal line number on 0300 123 8018.

"It's beggars belief that someone could abandon a dog like this at Christmas, but we are so thankful to the kind people who found Snoop sitting sadly in his bed, for taking him to the safety of a vets straight away."