Dead dog found buried in shallow grave in park

The body of the black labrador was wrapped in a pink blanket off a footpath in Derby's West End Park

The body of a dog found wrapped in a blanket and buried in a city park has prompted an investigation.

The RSPCA said the dog - a black labrador thought to be about a year old - was found in a "shallow grave" off the footpath in West End Park in Derby on Monday 10 February.

The dog had an injured rear leg with her bones visible through her fur, but rescuers said her body had not yet started to decompose.

Police and the animal charity are carrying out inquiries into how the dog came to be buried in the park.

The RSPCA said the dog was found off this footpath in West End Park

The charity said no microchip was found.

Animal rescue officer Sophie Taylor said: "All we know at this stage is that she had injuries to her rear legs with the bone visible through her fur.

"We don't know the cause of death or how they came to be buried in the park so we ask anyone who may have seen something in the area, or anyone who knows about a black labrador in the vicinity to please get in touch with us or contact the police."