POLICE are urgently searching for the owner of a dog found during a reported poaching incident currently under investigation.

North Yorkshire Police said it located the lurcher-type dog around 7pm on Monday, August 19, in Melmerby near Ripon.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said: “We’re seeking the owner of this dog, which was taken into police possession.

“We urgently need to identify the owner of this dog.

“If it is your dog, we want to hear from you before we have to treat it as abandoned and it is rehomed.”

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should email david.mackay@northyorkshire.police.uk.

You can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two, and ask for David Mackay.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12240150875.