A greyhound has been found dead in a canal with a sandbag attached to her neck by a length of rope.
The RSPCA has launched an investigation into the horrific incident after the female dog was recovered from Beverley Beck, in Yorkshire, on the morning of Saturday, June 18.
It comes as the RSPCA launches its Cancel Out Cruelty campaign, to raise funds to help its rescue teams out on the frontline continue to save animals.
The poor dog was recovered from the water by a local animal volunteer, who had been alerted by a social media post on a “missing and found pets” page.
A cause of death has not yet been established and it is not known how long the dog, who was microchipped, was in the water for.
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But the area is a popular angling spot and the RSPCA is appealing for anyone who may have seen people acting suspiciously in the area near Waterside Road where the canal meets the River Hull, particularly on the evening of Friday, June 17.
The animal charity is also trying to locate two local men, who may hold vital information which would help the investigation.
RSPCA Inspector Tom Hutton said: “Sadly, this greyhound was found in Beverley Beck and our investigation into her ownership suggests she has been passed from pillar to post.
“She was initially rehomed by her owner, but the person who took her on decided he didn’t want her and gave her up to two people in a nearby village. The next thing we know is she is dead in the canal.
“Hopefully, someone may have seen something in the area. The dog’s body was found at the point where the canal flows past the last lock in Beverley.
“CCTV footage of the area doesn’t cover this spot, so it looks like the people who took her there knew they were not going to be seen, particularly if they did it during the hours of darkness.”
The greyhound was around three years old at the time of her death. She was grey with a white underbelly and brown eyes. She weighed around 28kg and her whelping date is known as July 9, 2019.
The two men the RSPCA believes can help with its enquiries have been seen driving a white flatbed van and locally it is believed they are known as “Nick” and “Bozza”.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018.
Do you have a dog story to share? Email paige.freshwater@reachplc.com.
