A local animal welfare charity is trying to find out who left a male Shar Pei crossbreed pup at a railway station in Scotland.

The dog, whose name was found out to be Kai, was left leashed to a rail with a suitcase full of his belongings at the Ayr railway station on January 2, according to the Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

The group reported that the suitcase contained a dog bowl, food, a pillow and a toy.

Scottish SPCA inspector Stewart Taylor said Kai was microchipped, which led them to find out the animal's name.

"We contacted the owner registered to the microchip, who stated they had sold Kai on Gumtree in 2013," Taylor said. "Unfortunately they could not tell us the address of the person who bought him."

Taylor said Kai's case illustrates the risk of selling an animal online and that "it often leads to the impulse buying of pets that people know very little about."

He added, "Regardless of the fact Kai was left with his belongings, this was still a cruel incident and we are keen to identify the person responsible."

If found, the person who abandoned the Shar Pei pup could be charged under Scotland's Animal Health and Welfare Act. Those who are found guilty are banned from keeping animals for a set period of time or even for life.

Meanwhile, the Scottish SPCA is taking care of Kai, who they estimate to be between two and three years old and describe as a " lovely dog with a nice nature."

Kai, however, may not need to stay with the charity for long. Ben Supple, a spokesperson with the charity, told the Guardian that the group has been "inundated with offers" to provide the pup with a loving, permanent home.

The animal welfare group requests anyone with information to contact their Animal Helpline at 03000 999 999.