An elderly dog riddled with a spinal disease was found abandoned at the back of a mid-Norfolk hotel, wrapped in an old curtain and left alone to die.

The alarm was raised by a member of the public, who alerted the owners of a nearby dog groomers to the horrifying discovery at the back of the NR19 Hotel - formerly Hill House - in Dereham.

Wendy Barker and Janette Chamberlain, co-owners of Shampoochers off Wellington Road, were told that the dog had been dumped in the dark within the hotel grounds and was believed to be dead.

Without a second thought, the two women rushed to its aid by jumping over a fence to get to him.

Ms Barker said: 'He was still alive but very matted and frightened. I tried to lift him to take him to the vets, Larwood and Kennedy, just across the road.

Eastern Daily Press: Blue the dog was discovered abandoned in the grounds of the NR19 Hotel. Wendy Barker (left) and Janette Chamberlain, co-owners of Shampoochers off Wellington Road, believed him to be dead. Picture: DONNA-LOUISE BISHOPBlue the dog was discovered abandoned in the grounds of the NR19 Hotel. Wendy Barker (left) and Janette Chamberlain, co-owners of Shampoochers off Wellington Road, believed him to be dead. Picture: DONNA-LOUISE BISHOP (Image: Archant)

'There was blood, urine and dogs mess around him. At first I thought he'd been hit by a car but on closer inspection there was a curtain next to him which later we realised he'd been wrapped in.'

Together the duo managed to lift him across to the vets, where they performed an x-ray. Although no bones were broken, the dog showed signs of neglect and possible spinal disease.

It happened just days before a group of nine dogs were found abandoned at Syderstone , near Fakenham. The incidents are not believed to be related.

Eastern Daily Press: Blue the dog was discovered abandoned in the grounds of the NR19 Hotel. Picture: DONNA-LOUISE BISHOPBlue the dog was discovered abandoned in the grounds of the NR19 Hotel. Picture: DONNA-LOUISE BISHOP (Image: Archant)

Ms Barker added: 'The vets did all they could to help him - they were brilliant - but they had to take the decision to put him down.

'He did have a microchip but there was no name associated to it.

'We believe he had been with a family or an owner at some point because he even had a flea collar on. He was matted and thin and was unable to stand by himself. He was motionless when we got to him.'

Eastern Daily Press: Blue the dog was discovered abandoned in the grounds of the NR19 Hotel. Picture: DONNA-LOUISE BISHOPBlue the dog was discovered abandoned in the grounds of the NR19 Hotel. Picture: DONNA-LOUISE BISHOP (Image: Archant)

The breed of the dog was unable to be determined but it may have been a long-haired Tibetan Terrier, or breed of similar size. Ms Barker affectionately named the dog 'Blue' because of the shade of his grey and black coat.

'I wanted to take him home,' she said.'

Blue was found at 1.30pm on Friday October 12. The RSPCA has appealed for information following the discovery and anyone with information is asked to call the inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018.