The owner of an abandoned Labrador found tied to railings with a note has been traced and the council says 'all is not what it first seemed'.

The lost dog was discovered at Jasmil Kennels and Cattery in Upchurch, near Sittingbourne, on Monday morning.

The elderly dog, which didn't have a microchip, was left with a heart-wrenching note. His story featured on the front of the Daily Star this morning.

Swale council launched an appeal to track down the owner, who has since been located.

A council spokesman said: "Having fully investigated the elderly dog left abandoned on Monday, we were able to get in contact with his owner, and all is not what it first seemed. We are now taking appropriate action based on the situation and circumstances."

He added: "We have also been in contact with members of the owner's extended family, who know and love the dog. They had no knowledge of the owner's plans and have asked to take the dog on so that it can live out the latter part of its life in a safe secure home, with people it knows.

"Please do not ring the kennels as he now has a secure future."

"If home checks and the dog's reaction to them are positive, this is the kindest way forward for the dog's welfare.

"We would like to thank everyone for their offers of help and a home for this old boy."

The Labrador had been left with a note that said: "Hello, pls (sic) can you take me in as my owner has abandoned me after 10 years because I have not learnt to be good, so I have been returned here where he found me.

"Thank you for looking after me, sorry for inconvenience."

At the time, Swale council said this was "not the way to deal with it" if any owners were struggling with their dog.

"Rehoming is the last option, but this isn’t the way to do it," a spokesman added.

If you find a stray dog, the advice is to contact the council as soon as possible and it will arrange for it to be picked up.

Either call 01795 417850 during office hours or 07795 237479 between 5pm and 9pm weekdays and 9am to 9pm at weekends and bank holidays.

The council advises people not to feed a dog while waiting for it to be collected.

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