An animal-rights activist said last night she was “deeply saddened” by photographs of a starving and diseased dog that was rescued by the Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Grace Markham, co-founder of Punish the Deed not the Breed Bermuda, said she was “incredibly upset” by the images. Ms Markham called for a get- tough policy on irresponsible dog owners. She said: “Part of the reason we established Punish the Deed not the Breed was because we felt the issues with bad ownership seemed to be neglected by our current system.

“Instead of dealing with the humans responsible, the Government has been killing innocent dogs because of breed-specific legislation.”

Ms Markham added her organisation wanted a stricter “abuse and neglect” policy.

She said: “Owners who fail to adhere to basic humane standards should face fines and be blacklisted from owning further animals.”

Ms Markham was speaking after photographs of the pitbull appeared on social media on Monday night. The Bermuda SPCA appealed for information that could help identify the dog’s owner yesterday.

The organisation said the tan-and-white adult male dog was found in “very poor condition” in the Mission Lane area of Pembroke.

Chris Coleman, inspector with the Bermuda SPCA, said that the dog wandered onto a property in the area.

The SPCA added the dog was “extremely thin” with a “very bad skin condition which was infected and bleeding in places”.

Ms Coleman said: “This sort of condition doesn’t happen overnight.”

Ms Markham said it was “fairly evident” that the animal had been neglected and abused.

Anyone with information regarding the owner of the animal is asked to contact the Bermuda SPCA at 236-7333 or 737-1108.

The SPCA said all calls are dealt with on a confidential basis.