Search for muzzled dog called off in Qld

The desperate search for a dog that had been muzzled with tape in south east Queensland has been called off after a 12 day effort by the RSPCA and volunteers.

Truck drivers first spotted the dog that had tape around its nose and mouth on January 9 as it ran across the Cunningham Highway, at Aratula south west of Brisbane, describing it as a skinny-looking canine believed to a German shepherd-cross.

Concerned for the dog's welfare and ability to eat, drink and breath properly the RSPCA coordinated a search and rescue effort using baiting traps and the last confirmed sighting was on January 17, when the tape appeared to have moved down the dog's muzzle.

Inspector Laurie Stageman praised the efforts of the volunteers and said the search wouldn't have been possible without their help.

The RSPCA said they believed the dog either managed to remove the tape or it had passed away.