Bexleyheath: RSPCA investigates XL bully found dead with head injury

An investigation is under way after an XL bully was found bloodstained and with a head injury, the RSPCA has said.

The body of the young female dog was inside a large metal crate on a patch of grass in Halcot Avenue, Bexleyheath, south-east London on 17 January.

The charity said the dog, which had not been microchipped, was taken there between 16:30 GMT and 18:15 that day.

RSPCA inspector Kirsten Ormerod, said they were "deeply concerned the head injury was caused deliberately".

Warning: This article contains an image some may find upsetting.

The cause of the injury is not yet known, Ms Ormerod said.

"It's incredibly upsetting that her bloodstained body was dumped so carelessly in a residential area and it must have been a shocking discovery to make," she added.

Ms Ormerod said the dog, which was between six and nine months old, was found in the crate covered in faeces and urine with a beige sheet thrown over the top and pink twine tying it shut.

She added that it had a distinctive colour with unusual markings of grey merle patches on white fur.

Three weeks ago the animal charity began an investigation into another XL bully's death. This dog had been found mutilated and with major head trauma in an alleyway in Carshalton, south London.

A government ban on bully XL dogs began to take effect on 31 December.

From 1 February, it will be a criminal offence to own an XL bully without an exemption certificate.

The RSPCA is appealing for witnesses and any information, dashcam and doorbell footage for both cases.

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