A neighbourhood warden today said cowardly yobs who left his beloved pet dog close to death after a vicious beating may have been exacting revenge on him for his job.

Jeffrey Adams stumbled on his cross-breed dog, Max, with blood pouring from his mouth, bundled in a sleeping bag on the side of a footpath, after a frantic search.

The two-year-old dog had gone missing from his owner's garden in The Acre, Wyke, the night before after being let out at about 10pm.

After scouring the area Mr Adams, 45, resumed his search the following day and was shocked when he spotted Max near a house in Westcombe Court.

"He was laid out and bleeding from his nose and mouth," said Mr Adams. "Both his eyes were bloodshot and his head was swollen. He had a rope tied to his collar. He was only just managing to move and he was struggling to breathe. Whoever did this is sick.

"At first I thought it was an empty sleeping bag - it was all zipped up around Max.

"I think someone had dragged him into the sleeping bag by the rope and had been kicking him and jumping on him so he could not fight back."

Incredibly Max escaped broken bones and internal bleeding but his owner faced a tense time as his dog was treated by vets for four days.

"They were not sure whether he would make it over night and it was touch and go over the weekend," said Mr Adams.

Max has been given antibiotics and painkillers since the attack.

"He is walking now but he still hasn't got his full balance back yet," said Mr Adams, who has had Max since February. "He is a good dog. He's lively and obedient but he has been very quiet since this happened."

Mr Adams fears he may have been targeted by teenagers because of his work as a neighbourhood warden on the Delph Hill estate.

"Maybe it's their idea of a laugh," he said. "I can't believe anyone could do something like this. To repeatedly beat an animal and just leave him to die is wicked. It was pure chance that I found him."

The RSPCA has launched an investigation and is urging people to come forward with information.

Inspector Nicky Foster said: "This was a vicious attack that must have involved more than one person. He's quite a big dog and must have been restrained while he was beaten in the head.

"Whoever did this took pleasure in making Max suffer, and we are keen to hear from anyone who can help us to find those responsible."

Max disappeared from his home at about 10pm on May 24.

Anyone with any information should call the RSPCA Cruelty and Advice Line on 0870 5555999.