'Fighting' bull terrier dog found dead in Runcorn canal

A bull terrier, believed to have been used for fighting, has been discovered floating dead in a canal in Runcorn, Cheshire.

The animal, which was wearing a choke chain around its neck, had wounds to its face, chest and legs.

The RSPCA said it had been told that this was the third dog spotted in the canal recently. It had no ID tag and it had not been microchipped.

Insp Anthony Joynes said: "The injuries he sustained were dreadful."

The grey-coloured male was spotted in the water near Mersey Road by a member of the public on 11 October, but it is thought the dog could have been there for a number of days.

"I want to hear from anyone who recognises this dog or saw anything suspicious in the area," Mr Joynes said.

"I'm told that this is the third dog to be seen floating in this particular canal in recent times and I'm extremely concerned.

"Dog fighting is a barbaric sport that causes untold suffering to the animals involved. What this dog went through before he died doesn't bear thinking about."