A CRUEL dog owner dumped a 12-week old puppy in a recycling bin.

Adorable German shepherd cross, nicknamed “Bear”, is thought to have lain in the clothes and shoe collection bin for at least 24 hours.

He was only rescued by police community support officers after a passer-by heard howling coming from the large bin in Lincoln Road, on Basildon’s Craylands estate.

When the officers investigated they found the whimpering pup covered in rubbish at around 2am on Monday.

Basildon Council’s animal control officer Sarah Moran was called in to recover the fluffy pup.

He was taken to a vet and checked over before being temporarily rehomed with a kind-hearted council worker where he is recovering from his ordeal.

But life is looking up for the pup, who will go and live with his new owner PCSO Mandy Moxon, one of the officers who helped to rescue him.

Richard Moore, councillor responsible for animal control, said: “It is simply unacceptable to dump an animal in a bin like this.

“Anyone found treating an animal in this way could be held accountable and face a large fine or a prison sentence.

“If an owner is struggling to keep their dog, for whatever reason, they should contact the council’s animal control team or an animal welfare charity.”

The animal control team has now launched a joint probe with the RSPCA to find the callous owner who dumped the pup.

If caught they could be jailed or face a £20,000 fine.

Anyone with information about who is responsible for dumping the dog, which was found opposite Northland Park lake, can call the Basildon Council animal control team on 01268 294280 or call police at Pitsea on 101.