Dead dog found inside discarded suitcase

The body of a dog has been found abandoned in a suitcase on a rural lane.

The remains of the young female Rottweiler-German Shepherd cross were discovered in undergrowth in Wilton Lane, Guisborough.

It was reported to the RSPCA which sent its chief inspector, Mark Gent, to collect the animal.

Ch Insp Gent described finding the dog as "really upsetting" and has appealed to the public for information about what happened.

"We're very keen to be able to progress this investigation and find out how and why this poor dog came to be found in circumstances like this," he said.

The black-and-tan dog was extremely thin and because the animal was badly decomposed, the RSPCA said it could not establish a cause of death.

A microchip was found on the dog, which was registered to a woman who said it was one of 13 puppies she had bred and sold two years ago.

The breeder had given all the puppies different coloured collars and believed it had been called Blue.

However, she was unable to provide the animal charity with details about the person who had bought Blue.

The RSPCA is appealing to anyone with information about the dog's death or who recognises the suitcase to come forward.

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