THE MYSTERIOUS death of a pet dog found callously dumped in a kennel car park in Aldermaston was at the centre of an RSPCA investigation today.

A woman was left stunned when she spotted a black and white lurcher half inside a kennel on a dog's bed at Paices Hill Country Park.

The RSPCA were alerted and quickly attended the scene.

They were met by a very thin female dog whose ribs and hips were visible. A large parasitic worm lay next to her on the bed.

RSPCA inspector Nikki Denham said: “It must have been very distressing for visitors to the park to see such an upsetting sight and I’m very concerned about the circumstances surrounding this dog’s death.

“It’s bewildering to understand how someone could just dump a dog’s body alongside her belongings in the middle of nowhere.

“We cannot be sure whether she was still alive when she was abandoned and it’s heartbreaking to think of her alone and frightened in the dark. It’s been freezing this week so to cast a dog outside in this weather is just awful.”

A pair of grey gloves were found beside the red dog bed - covered in a bone design - and the wooden kennel on Thursday December 5.

“I’m concerned as the dog was in a very poor condition so I suspect she may well have suffered before dying,” inspector Denham added.

“Unsurprisingly, the members of the public who found her body were absolutely distraught.”

The dog was wearing a red coat and a leather collar but was not microchipped.

The RSPCA has launched an investigation and would like to hear from anyone who recognises the dog or who may know where she has come from. Inspector Denham would also like to hear from anyone who may have seen someone in the area acting suspiciously.

Anyone with any information which could prove useful to the investigation should call the RSPCA’s inspector appeal line on 0300 123 8018.