Dead dogs dumped in park bushes in 'shocking case of neglect'

Dead dogs 'neglected' by their owner have been discovered hidden in bushes. The bodies of the female bullbreeds were dumped in a park in what has been described as a 'shocking and pitiful sight to see'.

A walker made the 'upsetting discovery' in Bearmore Playing Field, in Cradley Heath, at about 9am on Friday, August 30. It is thought that the dogs were 'poorly kept for some time' before dying within days of each other.

The RSPCA is now appealing for information to find out what happened to the dogs. The dogs were not microchipped, the charity added.

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RSPCA Inspector Laura Brewerton, who is investigating, said: "Both dogs were emaciated so it was a shocking and pitiful sight to see their bodies and raises concerns that these dogs had been neglected and poorly kept for some time before their death. We think it’s likely they died within days of each other before being hidden in the bushes because one dog’s body was more decomposed than the other."

She added: "We’re now appealing to the public to help us as we investigate what has happened to these poor dogs. Every act of kindness makes a difference and this includes the public calling us with information to help our investigation."

Ms Brewerton said anyone who 'saw anything suspicious in the area' should get in touch. You can report information by calling the RSPCA appeal line on 0300 123 8018, quoting reference 01342000.

It comes as the RSPCA found there had been a rise across the West Midlands in animal cruelty cases in 2023. Last year, the RSPCA received 2,969 reports of cruelty to dogs, compared to 2,658 in 2022.

It received 52,662 reports of cruelty to dogs - about 144 a day - nationally in 2023. In 2022, it received 48,567 reports - an increase of 8 per cent in one year.