A PET dog was dumped outside a factory in broad daylight.

Workers at the Weymouth business said they were shocked to see the dog abandoned without a thought. Staff at BMT Defence Services on the Granby Industrial Estate saw a blue car pull up in the private car park and a man and a sheltie terrier got out.

They said the dog was limping and in obvious distress. The man and dog walked towards the wooded area behind the building, while three other people stayed inside the car.

They said that a few seconds later the man returned, got into the car and drove off.

Eyewitness Steve Sudworth said: “I saw him walking very fast back to the car and he jumped in. I thought he was going to shout the dog, but they just drove off fast.

“The dog was trying to follow them but couldn’t because of the limp. I would have run up the road after them, but they were gone too fast. It’s shocking.”

Co-worker Mike Jolliffe took the dog, a female sheltie terrier, to the vet. He made a makeshift collar for her out of his belt.

He said: “We noticed she was limping and we saw her claws were so long they were curled round into her paw pad.

“We took her to the vet to get the claws cut, it was all we could do for her on the spot.”

He added that the whole office had been left quite emotional by the experience.

He said: “She was a lovely little girl and she made so many friends here. Obviously ,she was a bit frightened but she was lovely.”

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council dog warden Ian Lewis was at the vet.

He said: “We believe the dog is about eight years old. She has been nicknamed Ginger. She was not microchipped.”

CCTV footage from British Marine Technology is now being viewed in a bid to track down the dog’s owners.

The car is believed to be a Metallic blue Kia Rio five-door hatch back with alloy wheels.

The man is described as being 5ft 10in to 6ft, wearing jeans, trainers and a brown top.

Witnesses and anyone with information should call the council’s dog team on 01305 838009.