A dead dog was found hanging by the neck on a quiet country road, prompting an immediate investigation.
The RSPCA say that the young male Belgian Malinois was found by a member of the public on the other side of the embankment on Stones Bank Road, to the north of Egerton.
They believe that the dog had been deliberately thrown down the bank before he became entangled on a pole amongst the vegetation.
RSPCA inspector Rachel Whalley said: “The dog was also examined at our animal hospital in Greater Manchester but sadly the state of decomposition was such that a post mortem would not have been able to establish a cause of death.
“Nevertheless, we’re concerned about how this young dog came to be found in these circumstances and we’d urge anyone with first-hand information to get in touch.”
The dog was found off Stones Bank Road (Image: RSPCA)
Inspector Whalley thanked the member of the public for their help and has appealed for anyone else who may know anything to come forward.
An image supplied by the RSPCA shows the dead dog suspended on the embankment along Stones Bank Road.
This is just off Blackburn Road, between Egerton and Darwen with Belmont to the west.
The male dog is believed to have been wearing a metal chain and became caught on a pole amongst the vegetation along the embankment.
The RSPCA say they do not know if the dog was alive or dead by this stage but that it took the person who found the body several hours to get it down and to a vet.
A scan at the vet showed the dog was microchipped but the details had not been kept-up-to date.
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The last registered keeper said he had sold the one-and-a-half-year old Malinois to another man about nine or ten months previously.
The vets then became concerned about the circumstances that they found the dog in and contacted the RSPCA, who have been making enquiries ever since.
The charity has asked for anyone who may recognise the dog to get in touch with them.
Members of the public can do so in confidence by calling 0300 123 8018 quoting reference number 01262813.
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