The Scottish SPCA is appealing for help as its officers investigate the “shocking” death of a severely emaciated dog in Fife.
The dog weighed less than half its expected body weight when it was found earlier this month.
The SSPCA is appealing for information after the female dog was found wrapped in a duvet cover on February 9 down an embankment in the Broomhill area of Burntisland.
Inspector Nicola Liddell said: “The dog, an adult female Staffordshire bull terrier type, was brown brindle with white markings on her chest, neck and feet.
“She was wearing a purple and pink checked collar and had been wrapped in a single duvet cover which was white with large, coloured dots.
“This poor soul was in emaciated body condition, weighing less than half her expected weight. “
A post-mortem examination revealed she had been dead for at least two weeks before being found, possibly as long as two months.
Nicola added: “This dog was in an awful condition when she died and we are urging anyone with information on this shocking case to contact us as soon as possible. Someone may be aware of a person in the area who had a dog matching this description which has suddenly disappeared.
“Information is received in the strictest confidence and can be reported anonymously.”
Causing an animal unnecessary suffering is an offence.
Anyone found guilty of doing so can expect to be banned from keeping animals for a fixed period or life.
Anyone with information is being urged to contact the Scottish SPCA animal helpline on 03000 999 999.