A small terrier with a Mohican-style haircut has been found abandoned in a local playing field, in an unsheltered area with no water on one of the hottest days of the year.

RSPCA inspector Stephanie Law said it was “not acceptable” that the male white and tan terrier, whom they have named Dandy, was left tied to an iron gate at the bottom of the Harris Lane playing fields in Shenley.

He was taken to the charity’s Southridge animal centre nearby, after being discovered by passing dog walkers on Thursday July 3, when the mercury reached 25 degrees.

Dandy was wearing a blue lead and collar, but had not been microchipped. While slightly underweight, he was otherwise in good health.

Stephanie said: “We think he must have been out there in the intense heat for at least a few hours, with no water or shelter or any means to cool himself down.

“It is not acceptable to just dump a dog like this in any circumstances, but in such steaming conditions and high temperatures, it was incredibly dangerous.”

Stephanie warned that it did not take much for an animal to suffer from heatstroke, especially light-coloured ones like Dandy.

Anna White, Southridge manager, said: “Dandy is still a little distressed from his ordeal, but he is a great dog.

“He has a very distinctive haircut which took us all a bit by surprise. It is almost like a Mohican with a ridge of three-and-a-half centimetres along the top of his back.”

Although Dandy is not ready to be rehomed yet, it is hoped he will be soon.

Anyone keen to register an interest in him should contact the centre on 0300 1230704.

Those with information on who Dandy belongs to, or how he came to be in this state, can tell the charity on 0300 1238018.