Dead puppy found in boarded-up kennel

It is thought the cream coloured puppy - believed to be a collie cross - was just four-months-old when he was found dead and tied up inside the wooden kennel and dumped on Fleetwood Road in Wesham on Sunday.

There was also a blue lead, a bowl of rice, a water bowl, water in a sealed bottle and sawdust inside the wooden 2mx2m kennel when Lancashire Police made the find.

The RSPCA is now appealing with anyone with information about the puppy to come forward urgently.

RSPCA inspector Sarah Hayland said: “This is a horrific incident. We do not think the dog had been dead for very long when he was found inside the kennel.

“We do not know where this dog came from or if he was alive or dead when he was so cruelly dumped inside that kennel.

“He had been tied up inside with a two metre long metal chain. The door to the kennel had been intentionally boarded up with planks of wood when it was found in the middle of a country lane by a member of the public.

“It is just awful. He was underweight when we found him but at the moment we do not know how he died. It is harrowing to think what he might’ve gone through.

“We would ask that anyone who has any information about where he came from or how he got on to the lane in this state to contact us as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information should contact the RSPCA Inspectorate Appeal Line on 0300 123 8018.