A PUG has been left paralysed from the waist down after she was thrown from a moving car.

The RSPCA has launched an investigation after Crumble the female pug was found collapsed at the side of the road in Writtle, near Chelmsford, on Sunday afternoon (December 4).

The animal welfare charity was called by a woman who found Crumble seriously injured in St John's Green.

RSPCA inspector Lucy Brennan said: “A member of public called us after seeing the little tan-coloured pug being thrown from the window of a moving car.

“She found the little dog collapsed at the roadside and rushed her to a nearby vet before the pug was moved to a specialist surgery.

“Unfortunately, she is very badly injured and appears to be paralysed from the waist down so it’s not clear yet if she will pull through.”

It is believed the bitch - thought to be around three or four-years-old - had previously been used for breeding as veterinary staff said there were signs she’d had several litters.

Staff at the veterinary practice caring for her have named her Crumble.

Inspector Brennan said: “What isn’t clear is whether Crumble sustained these injuries during this horrific incident or whether she had already suffered these injuries and those responsible were simply trying to get rid of her.

“As our extensive investigations into the unscrupulous, underground puppy trade have revealed, puppy farmers have little use for a breeding bitch when she can no longer produce puppies for them to sell.

“If Crumble had come to the end of her puppy-bearing life then it may be that her cruel and callous owners have decided to discard of her.

“Similarly, puppy dealers are looking to make as much money as possible from their stock so do not want to be faced with unexpected veterinary costs. If Crumble became injured or sick then that would be another reason for them to get rid of her.”

The RSPCA is appealing for anyone who may know where Crumble has come from or who may have seen her being thrown from the car to get in touch by calling the charity’s appeal line on 0300 123 8018.