[dezertblu]

The RSPCA is appealing for help after the horrific discovery of a dead dog that had been bound, weighed down with bricks and thrown into a river to drown.

On 22 April the dead brindle and white female Staffordshire bull terrier-type dog was recovered from the River Wear near the Durham County Cricket Club in Chester-le-Street, after the RSPCA was called by a member of the public.

RSPCA Inspector Damian Woolliscroft was horrified to discover that not only had the dog's muzzle and front legs been bound with black electrical tape, a supermarket carrier bag containing two house bricks had also been tied around the dog's neck with bungee rope.

He said: "I'm sickened by what had been done to this poor animal. There is no sign that the dog had any other injuries so it seems that the dog was alive when she was thrown into the river.

"Whoever did this must have known the huge amount of suffering they were putting the dog through. Just when I think I've seen the worst case of animal cruelty, something like this happens to top them all. I'm keen to hear from anyone who thinks they may have information about this appalling act."

Can you help?
Anyone with information about this incident should call the RSPCA's 24-hour cruelty and advice line in confidence on: 0870 55 55 999 and ask to leave a message for RSPCA inspector number 750.