The RSPCA is investigating after the 'battered' body of an XL American bulldog was found dumped in a child's pushchair. The society said scans showed the dog, which had been left wrapped in a blanket, suffered significant skull and jaw fractures, which they said appeared to have been the result of 'blunt force trauma to the head'.
It was initially believed the bulldog could have been hit by a car but after the tests, the RSPCA said it was likely to have been a 'violent attack'.
Binmen made the gruesome discovery in an alleyway in Bolton late last month. X-rays carried out at an animal hospital later showed the extent of the dog's injuries, the RSPCA added.
The bulldog, a male, is thought to have been around two years old. He wasn't neutered or microchipped, said the charity as an investigation continued.
In a statement, the RSPCA said: "The grim discovery was made by binmen in an alleyway between Jauncey Street and Parkinson Street. The local council's dog warden team contacted the animal charity, who made door-to-door enquiries in the area and is now appealing for anyone with any information to get in touch.
"The dog's body was wrapped in a light brown blanket and placed in the pushchair, which had a distinctive inscription. When it was found on Thursday, September 29 it was next to a bin bag, which had been filled with dog biscuit wrappers and foam ripped from a dog bed."
RSPCA animal rescue officer Jess Pierce took the dog's body to the Greater Manchester Animal Hospital, where the X-rays were carried out.
She said: "It was first thought that the dog had been in a road traffic accident, but his only injuries are to his head and the X-rays showed a nasty skull fracture and broken jaw.
"It does look like the poor dog has been the victim of a violent attack. We are hoping people will come forward with any information they have on how this may have happened and how the dog's body came to be in this pushchair left where it was.
"We are keen to hear from anyone who knows of a person who had a dog of this description which is no longer in their care. All information will be treated in the strictest confidence."
The dog was white with grey/dark grey markings. The pushchair he was left in displayed the brand marking of Kinderkraft.
Anyone with any information is being asked to ring the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018.
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