 It is believed the cocker spaniel was expecting a litter of puppies |
A dog has been found dead in a river with a huge weight hung on its neck in a suspected deliberate attack. The RSPCA is investigating after the female cocker spaniel was discovered by people walking their dogs by the River Test in Nursling, Southampton.
The tan-coloured dog, which is believed to have been pregnant, had a disc-shaped dumb bell weighing 10kg strapped to its body by a harness.
Vets are carrying out a post-mortem examination on the creature to find out if it died before the weight was attached.
'Horrific death'
The animal charity said the spaniel would have endured a very painful death if it had been the victim of a sick joke.
RSPCA inspector Alan Barnes said: "We are awaiting the results of the post-mortem but the circumstances around this appear to be suspicious.
"If this dog has died through drowning, then it would have suffered a horrific death and it is deeply upsetting that someone may have committed such a cruel act.
The charity has urged anyone with information to get in touch.
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