Animal charity the RSPCA has stepped in to monitor a dog being kept outdoors in a cage and surrounded by faeces.

The small pooch was spotted next to a caravan on Marina Esplanade in Ramsgate by a worried passer-by, who returned the next day to check on the animal's welfare.

Concerned the dog was living in squalor outdoors in cold weather, she reported it twice to the charity.

"The cage stunk of urine and faeces, and the bowl was empty and had faeces in it," she said.

She says she has since been told there are two other dogs in poor conditions there.

Images of the small white pooch were posted on the Missing Dogs and Strays in Thanet Facebook page, with people condemning the "vile" conditions the dog was seen in.

A Thanet resident went to the site to see if they could help the dog, later describing the animal as in a "bad state, with matted, dirty fur and clearly malnourished".

A spokesman for the isle's branch of the RSPCA confirmed they are dealing with the matter.

"We will be going back to monitor (the situation)," she said.

Police have been asked for a comment.

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