AN animal carer says the "evil" attackers who tortured a young dog by burning, cutting and hitting him should be hanged.

Antony Urrutie, who runs Kora Kyi animal welfare centre in Cardiff Road, Newport, which is staffed by volunteers, said he found the basset hound cross squirming with pain on the side of the road.

The 52-year-old was driving to St Brides on Sunday to take four of his dogs for a walk when he spotted the abandoned hound about half a mile from the Church House Inn. Shortly after coming to its rescue he saw the extent of its sickening injuries.

The dog, which is about a year old and which has been called Duncan, had suffered a dozen cigarette burns to its nose, ears and legs, cuts to its back and heavy bruising.

Mr Urrutie, who has reported the cruelty to Gwent Police, believes that the animal had also been dowsed in petrol and set alight.

"He was covered in cuts and burns and when I picked him up he screamed in agony," he said.

"The people who did this are evil and irresponsible. They should be hanged for harming an innocent creature.

"When we put him in the van he was wetting himself with fear. When I took him to see the vet she confirmed his injuries and said she was appalled that someone could do this." The vet, from Alpha Veterinary Services, confirmed the injuries.

Mr Urrutie, who has been running the centre for 25 years and wants all dogs micro-chipped and registered to prevent cruelty cases, said he wants to know who is responsible. But for now his efforts are focused on nursing Duncan back to health and re-homing him.

"It will take some time before his mental scars heal," said Mr Urrutie, who has re-homed 249 dogs. "He is such a lovely dog and deserves some love in his life. I don't mind giving him away to a loving home."

A spokesman for the RSPCA said it was a case of "extreme cruelty".

"It is horrendous and defies belief," she said. "Sometimes it's hard to believe what people do to animals."

To give Duncan a new home, phone 01633 760016. If you know who did this, call Gwent Police on 01633 838 111.