Investigation launched after body of dead dog found ‘dumped’ on England-Wales border

The remains of a dog discovered on a remote country lane have raised suspicions.

A dog walker stumbled upon a dead black lurcher on the side of a countryside lane on the border of England and Wales last week.

RSPCA was alerted after the discovery on Moor Lane, Kinnerton, near Chester, on Wednesday morning.

The animal, aged around three, appeared to have been dumped, the charity said.

The dog was still wearing a black collar, although the remains were badly decomposed, RSPCA said.

Thanks to a microchip, officers from the charity were able to trace the first owners, who, however, revealed they had rehomed the dog.

The traces stopped after the second owners said they had also had to give the dog away.

Bethany Newis, RSPCA’s animal rescue officer, described the dog walker’s discovery as ‘upsetting’ and said there are concerns about how the dog’s body ended up on the road.

She said: ‘The dog was microchipped and traced to an owner in North Wales but they said they re-homed the dog as a pup. We traced the next owner, also living in North Wales, who said they had rehomed the dog because it did not get on with another pet in the home.

‘We are now trying to trace the person who took on the dog after this.

‘The lurcher would have been three in October and the fact that his body appears to have been dumped does raise suspicions, but sadly the body was too decomposed to establish an exact cause of death.’

The animal rescue expert urged anyone with information to get in touch as the RSPCA issued an appeal.

The dog’s black collar featured metal bone-shaped studs, a blank nametag and bits of blue rope.

She added: ‘This blue rope could have been used as a lead or as a tether and I am hoping the distinctive nature of the collar on this black lurcher may help jog people’s memories as to who may have recently owned him.

‘The area is a popular dog walking spot so we are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen anything suspicious who can help with our enquiries.’

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