The RSPCA has launched an investigation after the dead body of a dog was found in Whitehorse Road Recreation Ground in Croydon last week.

A member of the public discovered the body of a badly emaciated female brown and white bull breed-cross lying behind the park’s perimeter wall late on the afternoon of Tuesday, November 26.

The dog was very underweight, with her hips, ribs and spine visible.

RSPCA animal rescue officer Tia Pennant, who attended the incident, said: “This poor dog was very, very thin and is likely to have been dead by the time she was left at this spot.

Dumped: the RSPCA is seeking help in finding out what happened to the poor animal

“There were some dog walkers around at the time I was there, and they didn’t recall seeing the body of the dog that morning, so we believe she was placed there in the afternoon.

“The dog was wet underneath, but it was a dry day, so it’s likely she had been outside at a property previously. So if anyone knows of a neighbour’s dog in the locality that disappeared suddenly around Monday or Tuesday of last week, then we’d like to hear from them.”

As part of its enquiries the animal charity is seeking any CCTV footage that covers the area, particularly near to the front of the nearby Legacy Croydon Youth Zone.

Anyone who has any information or CCTV footage can call the RSPCA appeals line number on 0300 123 8018 quoting incident number 01398754.

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