The charity has released details and an image of a blanket the dog was wrapped in as officers investigate the sad discovery
The RSPCA is investigating after the body of a large black dog was sadly found “dumped” at the side of a rural East Yorkshire road. Officers say they “can’t be sure” whether the pet had died of natural causes or foul play though there were “signs of froth around its mouth – potentially indicating poisoning”.
The dog was found wrapped in a pink blanket with a white one nearby at the gate of a farmer’s field on Out Newton Road, near Skeffling, a few miles south of Withernsea. Investigators have not been able to determine its breed or sex as it had been at the site in warm weather “for at least six days” though it “resembles a Rottweiler”.
The dog had an untagged black leather collar but no microchip. The RSPCA says it was called to the roadside on the afternoon of August 13 where the sad discovery was made.
Animal rescue officer Lucy Featherstone said: “This poor dog looked to be in good condition and had no injuries we could see, so it may have died of natural causes – but we can’t be sure. It’s a large dog and it may be that the owner believed cremation or burial was too expensive, just panicked and dumped it by the side of the road.
“I can understand why people might feel they have no other option but to do this but it’s not the right thing to do. It’s unusual because people see animals as cherished family pets and you don’t often see them ending up like this.”
She added: “It’s so sad to see someone’s pet end up like this and anyone could have come across it there at the side of the road – including children. We’d like to know anything at all which might help explain how this poor dog ended up on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere.
“Does anyone recognise the dog as missing from the description we have given, or maybe they recognise those blankets? Either way, please get in touch.”
The incident comes amid the RSPCA’s ‘Summer Cruelty Appeal’, highlighting the surge in neglect and mistreatment of animals during the warmer months. The latest RSPCA data for England and Wales highlights the level of cruelty taking place in summer – with reports for the June quarter of 2024 a third higher than in 2023.
The rise meant the charity took an average of 374 reports of cruelty against animals every day during June, July and August 2024 – one call every two minutes the line was open.
Anyone with information on the inquiry into the dog found near Skeffling is urged to contact the RSPCA inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018, quoting incident number 01604657.
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