RSPCA QUEENSLAND’S search for a dog that was last seen with its mouth taped shut running along the Cunningham Highway south-west of Ipswich has entered its second day.

Spokesman Michael Beatty said the outpouring of support from the community has been tremendous, but they are yet to locate the sick animal.

“It’s not looking good, to be honest,” he said.

“He was last seen on the Cunningham Highway in very rough terrain. We are appreciative of all the help, but we don’t want to see groups of people getting themselves in trouble trying to find him or potentially spooking him further inland.”

“The best outcome will be if he comes back out onto the road where we can spot him.”

Mr Beatty urged people to call 1300ANIMAL if they had any information about the dog’s whereabouts.

EARLIER: RSPCA Queensland have mounted a frantic search to help locate a dog that was last seen running across a highway southwest of Ipswich with its mouth taped shut.

Truck drivers travelling along the Cunningham Highway have reportedly seen the dog and notified the RSPCA amid concerns over its health and welfare.

RSPCA Queensland spokesman Michael Beatty said the dog appeared to be a German Shepherd cross and was in a “very bad condition”.

“We are urging anyone who has any information or has seen the dog again to come forward,” he said.

“It’s just going to die in this heat. It won’t be able to drink and certainly can’t eat.”

Mr Beatty said if the dog’s former owners are found they will likely face charges of animal cruelty and abandonment but their primary focus is to save the animal.

“The main thing we want to do is find the dog and get the tape off its muzzle,” he said.

“Hopefully it can make a full recovery but the longer this goes on the harder that will be.”

RSPCA Inspector Laurie Stageman said the dog was last seen near the helipad, about eight kilometres west of Aratula coming down the range.

“If it’s not caught soon it will be probably dehydrate and that’s a horrible way to die,” she said.

Anyone who has any information about the dog is urged to call 1300 ANIMAL.