Wanted: The owner of this dog

German police investigating illegal rubbish dumping have released a photo of a striking toy dog found among the garbage in a bid to trace the culprit.

German police have issued a photo of a stuffed toy dog in a bid to catch an illegal rubbish dumper.

The cheeky looking 50-centimetre white mutt with black spots is dressed in a check jacket and appears to be chomping on a cigar.



He was found dumped on the edge of a forest along with parts of a heating oil tank, car tyres and household rubbish.

"The police are hoping to get clues with the help of this striking-looking dog," police in the city of Marburg said in a statement.

"We haven't had any responses yet", a police spokesman said.