A DOG was tied up and left to die in a sports bag.
The four-year-old cross breed was abandoned on wasteland by its owners.
Its body was discovered by a father out walking with his two young children near Coniston Avenue in Atherton.
RSPCA chiefs today said: "This was a gruesome act of cruelty."
They called for help in bringing those responsible for the abuse to justice.
Cathy Hyde, the RSPCA inspector for Bolton added: "I was horrified when I heard what had happened to the dog. "It must have been an awful shock for the two young children who discovered the bag."
The family made the gruesome discovery on Wednesday.
They immediately called the RSPCA who recovered the dogs body and launched an investigation.
Mrs Hyde said: "The dog, a female tan-coloured cross breed had died by the time the bag was discovered.
It appeared to be about four years old."
If you can help find those responsible, call 0870 5555 999.
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