The RSPCA is investigating after a tiny puppy was found dumped in a bag, with cropped ears and a broken neck.

Council workers made the grisly discovery in Gravesend yesterday morning and took the puppy’s body to a local vet, who contacted the charity.

Animal rescue officer Brian Milligan was sent to investigate. He said: “The pup’s body was found wrapped up in a very distinctive pink M&S Percy Pig bag for life, wrapped in tape and left on top of bins in Valley Drive on Friday morning.

“Council workers who found the little pup - a male grey, tan and white American bully type, thought to be around 10 weeks old - took him to a local vet who alerted us.

“Vets examined the body and found his neck had been broken. The puppy also had blood around his mouth and infected cropped ears.”

The pup was microchipped, but the chip wasn't registered, meaning it can't be used to track down the owner.

Officers are now investigating the incident, and are appealing to the public for information.

"It looks like a do-it-yourself job"

Mr Milligan added: “This puppy has died in extremely suspicious circumstances and I’m keen to find out where he’s come from and who is responsible.

“We believe the puppy’s neck may have been broken deliberately which is absolutely abhorrent. But the question remains as to why?

“One theory is that he’d fallen ill as a result of the barbaric cropping of his ears.

"Perhaps he lost a lot of blood or the infection in the wounds had made him poorly and the breeders felt it would be too expensive - and would raise too many questions - to seek veterinary advice?

“Vets don’t believe the cropping has been carried out by someone who knows what they’re doing so it looks like a do-it-yourself job as the wounds also hadn’t been stitched up.”

Ear cropping – a painful process in which a dog's ears are removed or altered - is illegal in England and Wales.

Mr Milligan added: “I want to know what happened to this puppy but I’m also extremely worried about his littermates.

"There could be more pups with infected cropped ears who are getting sicker and sicker who need urgent veterinary attention.

“So I’d implore anyone who has bought a similar dog in this area recently or who knows where this puppy may have come from to call us as soon as possible.”

If you have any information regarding this incident call the RSPCA emergency hotline on 0300 123 8018.

Escaped animals, unusual finds and news from the RSPCA can all be found here.

Read more: All the latest news from Gravesend