A dog was left to die in a cemetery after a campaign of abuse that virtually left every bone in his body broken, an animal charity has said.

The abandoned dog, who was named Elmo by rescuers at the RSPCA, had suffered such appalling injuries that he had to be put to sleep.

Vets found he had suffered a number of serious bone breakages including in his hips, lower legs and feet which they suspect stretched back over a number of years.

John Littlewood, an animal officer at the RSPCA, said that it was the worst case he had ever dealt with.

Elmo was dumped in Birkenhead cemetery in Prenton, Merseyside, where he was found by members of the public.

He was covered in his faeces and urine, with severely matted hair and badly overgrown claws and was too badly injured to move on his own.

Mr Littlewood, who immediately suspected the dog had two broken legs, took him a vet's office where he was made comfortable and x-rayed.

Fours vets including a bone specialist ultimately concluded that it was not possible for Elmo to recover and the kindest option was to put him down to end his suffering.

The RSPCA is now investigating and is urging anyone with any information about Elmo to get in touch.

“I have no doubt that someone knows who owned this little dog, we need to hear from them so we can find out what happened to him," said Mr Littlewood.