Cruelty suffered by dog 'broke me' - RSPCA inspector

The dog's body was found in a lay-by near Harrow Road and Pound Lane in Benfleet, Essex

The RSPCA has begun an investigation after the body of a dog that had been mutilated and shot was found in a lay-by.

A member of the public found the two-year-old female lurcher by a road in North Benfleet, Essex, on August 6.

RSPCA inspector Natalie Bartle said: "The suffering this poor dog has been through is just horrific and I would go as far as to say it appears she has been tortured."

The "harrowing array of injuries" included missing claws, a massive gash on her front legs, and two gunshot wounds to the head.

The dog’s body, which was microchipped, was found in a lay-by near a track running down Harrow Road and Pound Lane.

Ms Bartle said: "I have worked for the RSPCA for over 25 years and when I saw what had happened to this poor dog’s body it just broke me - and I am determined to find the person or persons responsible for hurting this dog in such an unimaginable cruel way.

"My heart breaks to think what this poor girl was put through in her final moments."

The RSPCA said it has spoken to people "who knew the dog and had been caring for her", and was following "a number of lines of enquiry".

It said the number of reports of cruelty to dogs in Essex had risen to 1,446 in 2023, compared to 1,363 in 2022.

Ms Bartle urged anyone with information to contact the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018 quoting incident 01326717.