Dog found dead in river disturbing case - USPCA

The dog's body was discovered in the Blackwater River on Saturday

The death of a dog recovered from a river has been described by an animal welfare charity as “a disturbing and sickening case”.

A police investigation has been launched into the incident in County Tyrone.

It was reported to police at about 15:45 on Saturday.

The Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA) said it was “important that we get justice for this poor dog”.

“This is a disturbing and sickening case,” a USPCA spokeswoman said.

“It is difficult to understand how anybody is capable of such a cruel act".

Police said the dog had been found weighted down in the water.

“The dog was removed from the water and has been taken to a vet. A post-mortem will be carried out in due course,” a police sergeant said.

Police said they were engaging with animal welfare officers.

Weights were also taken from the river by members of Tyrone Underwater Search and Recovery

Malachy Foye of Tyrone Underwater Search and Recovery told BBC Radio Ulster’s Evening Extra programme that its members were flagged down by local fishermen on the Blackwater River on Saturday afternoon.

“They were visibly shook up by what they described they had seen,” he said.

“It is a very shocking thing to come across.

“The dog seemed to be anchored down by a weight of some sort. It is hard to say how long it was there, but it seemed it might have been there for a week or so”.

Police have asked anyone with information about the dog’s death to come forward.