Get the biggest stories sent straight to your inbox Sign up for regular updates and breaking news from WalesOnline Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A “potentially dangerous dog” has been abandoned and is on the loose in Porthcawl, residents and schools have been warned.

Bridgend County Borough Council has warned locals not to approach the dog, urging anyone who sees it to contact the police or council if the animal is spotted.

Dog spotted at Kenfig Pool

According to posts on the Porthcawl First community Facebook page, the dog was spotted being abandoned near the Royal Porthcawl Golf Club on Thursday .

There is speculation that the dog may have been used for fighting as it had many wounds “including a missing ear and lip”.

The council's dog wardens were earlier searching the Rest Bay area for the dog which is believed to be a Rottweiler.

The injured and distressed Rottweiler has now been spotted at Kenfig Pool in Kenfig National Nature Reserve by dog lover James Farmer, who saw the animal being dumped on Thursday.

He has informed dog wardens and police, who are believed to be on their way.

A South Wales Police spokesman said: "At the moment it is still on the loose. Officers are still searching for it. The last sighting was down by the nature reserve. Officers have been down there with representatives from the local authority."

'Rottweiler was pushed out of a car'

James, 39, from Porthcawl, a former Lance Corporal in the Parachute Regiment, said he was walking his Husky Loki on the lead in a field at Rest Bay at around 2.30pm on Thursday, when he saw the Rottweiler being pushed out of a car.

He said the “big and angry” dog tried to attack the pair, but they jumped over a fence.

Distressed by the wounded dog’s appearance, James said he went back out on Friday morning carrying a lead and some chicken to try to find and catch the dog to take it for treatment.

Having walked the coast path from the Royal Porthcawl Golf Club, he said he discovered the animal at Kenfig Pool.

“The dog has now collapsed. Most of his right back leg is missing,” said James.

“But he is still capable [of hurting someone]. I tried to put a lead on him and he chased me. I had to run into the pool to get away from him.”

'The dog came up like a missile'

He said while he was walking Loki on Thursday, a car pulled into the Rest Bay car park.

“The door opened and I thought the Rottweiler jumped out, but I could see hands behind it. Then the dog came up like a missile. It just made a beeline for us,” he said.

“He lept at me, missed me and I had to pick up my Husky by the scruff of his neck and throw him over a chain-link fence and I followed him.

“The Rottweiler’s left jowl is missing, his lip and left ear. His rear right leg is torn to shreds and hanging off and his tail is hanging off.

Watch James describe the moment he saw the dog let loose:

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

“My assumption is that he has been used for fighting.

“I would say he weighs around 50kgs (seven stone). He’s the biggest Rottweiler I have ever seen.

“It threw me as he was trying to bite through the fence to get us.”

'A potentially dangerous dog'

James said the occupants of the car could not be identified as the windows were blacked out and the rear number plate was obscured “with something black”.

A Bridgend Council spokesman said: “The council has been made aware this morning of reports of a potentially dangerous dog that may have been abandoned in the Rest Bay area of Porthcawl.

“The authorities are currently looking for the animal, which is believed to be Rottweiler.

“If spotted, people are being advised not to approach the dog, but to report it to Bridgend County Borough Council on 01656 643643 or South Wales Police on 101.”

It is understood that the council has informed local schools.