A FRENCH bulldog has had to be put to sleep after he was found "clearly unwell and in pain" in the early hours of the morning.

The 11-year-old dog was ditched on Caledonia Street in Paisley outside of a shop at around 1am on Monday, February 14.

He had a severely ulcerated eye, was unable to use his back legs and would not eat.

READ MORE: Praise for Glasgow nurses who helped student through cancer battle

SSPCA vets said the kindest thing to do would be to put the pup to sleep.

Chief inspector Laura McIntyre said, “The dog was a male, fawn French bulldog. We estimate him to be around 11 years old and he was not neutered.

“The dog was in generally poor condition, and was suffering from a severely ulcerated eye. He could not use his back legs and would not eat.

“On veterinary advice it was decided that the kindest thing to do would be to put him to sleep and end his suffering.

It is understood the dog was reported missing from an address in Falkirk in June 2021 and SSPCA inspectors are appealing for information as to how it came to be in the Paisley area.

READ MORE: ScotRail u-turns over proposals to slash ticket office hours across Glasgow

Inspector McIntyre added: “We’re keen to find out how the dog came to be in the area in such poor condition and why he was left alone when he was clearly unwell and in pain.

“There is a vet on this street and we are unsure if someone has tried to leave him outside of the vets hoping he would be found. However, this is not the correct procedure to follow.

“If anyone has any information on this incident they can contact our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999."