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Dog dies after being zipped in bag and dumped in Netherton Reservoir

A dog died after being dumped in Netherton Reservoir zipped inside a bag.

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Netherton Reservoir

A member of the public spotted a black bag in the water on Tuesday and managed to fish it out and pull it onto the bank where she found the dog zipped up inside.

The woman called the RSPCA and said the dog was struggling to breathe and was not responding but the adult male bull breed was dead when inspector Vicki Taylor arrived.

She said: “A member of the public contacted us after spotting the black bag in the reservoir. She managed to fish it out and pull it onto the bank where she found a dog zipped up inside.

“She said the dog was struggling to breathe and wasn’t responsive so I rushed over there but, sadly, he was dead when I arrived.”

The dog - a large, adult male bull breed with cropped ears - is quite distinctive and Vicki is hoping someone may recognise him or know where he’s come from.

“He was wrapped in a blanket and microchipped but the chip wasn’t registered, which is now a legal requirement,” Vicki added.

“Although the caller believed he was breathing when she pulled him from the water, the vet believes he may have been dead and in the water for some time due to deterioration of his fur and skin.

“He’s a large, grey/blue and white dog with cropped ears so he’s quite recognisable.

"He hasn’t suffered from any obvious injuries so it’s unclear whether he was dead before being dumped in the water or whether, tragically, he was deliberately thrown into the reservoir and drowned.

“I’d really like to find out where this dog has come from and what happened to him so I’d urge anyone who recognises him to contact our appeal line on 0300 123 8018.”

To help the RSPCA keep rescuing animals, investigating cruelty and keep animal hospitals and centres running for emergency treatment and round the clock care through these unprecedented times, donate via rspca.org.uk/covid.

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