Malnourished staffie cross is found dumped near bushland on Christmas Eve by his heartless owners - as locals respond with fury over the pup's treatment

A small town community has reacted with fury after a pooch was unceremoniously dumped on Christmas Eve.

The unwanted dog was left near bushland in the Shannonvale area north of Port Douglas in Far North Queensland on Thursday.

A photo of the scared staffie cross shows a scar over its front leg and a makeshift rope collar.

A local resident who posted the images to a Facebook group said she saw the culprit who left dog and has called on the public to help.

A small town community has reacted with fury after a pouch was unceremoniously dumped on Christmas Eve 

She snapped an image of the malnourished animal after it had bitten her sister.

The woman then took a photo of a Hyundai van she claims the canine was allegedly dumped from.

'WTF is wrong with people! This poor dog! Looks like a lovely dog too. Makes me ashamed of the human race when I see these posts,' one social media user said.

'I hope the person who witnessed this will provide a statement to police and that the perpetrators get pinched for animal cruelty.'

Others offered to take the dog.

'If you can't find a place we will take it until a home can be found PM me please, I don't want it going to the pound,' a commenter wrote.

The Douglas Shire impounds over 100 dogs a year with about two thirds claimed by their owners after a short time.

The remaining dogs are either re-homed or euthanized.

A local resident who posted the images to a Facebook group said she saw the culprit who left dog and they were driving a Hyundai van  

'If you find a lost or injured dog in the Douglas Shire, please contact council and let one of our officer's help,' the council website reads.

'Our aim is to reunite dogs with their owners as quickly as possible and ensure that they are looked after in the meantime.'

At the moment, the local pound is closed over the holiday break until January 4.

But Douglas Shire Council local laws team leader Sara Roberts told The Cairns Post there is no excuse to dump a helpless animal.

'If people need to urgently surrender an animal they would need to call 4099 9444 and the on-call officer will be contacted,' she said.

'It's disappointing at any time of the year when animals are dumped or abandoned. There is no excuse for taking that action, if owners cannot make suitable alternative arrangements for their pets, they should contact council for assistance.'

The unwanted dog was left near bushland in the Shannonvale area north of Port Douglas in Far North Queensland on Thursday