Puppy died 'struggling' to get free from bin bag thrown near Derby rail line

The RSPCA is appealing for information after a puppy was found dead near a railway line in Derby.

The Chihuahua-type canine was spotted by a member of the public, who believes the dog may have been thrown over railings near Balfour Road while confined in a black plastic bin bag.

Sadly, the young male dog appears to have tried to struggle free from the tied bag. He was found dead with his head protruding from the top of the bin liner on the waste ground.

RSPCA inspector Pam Bird, who is investigating, said: "At some point, this poor puppy has managed to force his way out of the bag either because he was still alive or the bag may have been torn by the many rats that are in this area.

"I would like to appeal to anyone who knows someone whose dog has had puppies lately or may have any information about how the dog came to be found in this area."

The caller who alerted the animal charity first saw the bag at 12.45 pm last Thursday (January 25) on a path leading from Balfour Road, inside railings next to the Derby to Burton-on-Trent rail line. Anyone with any information is asked to call the RSPCA appeals line number on 0300 123 8018.

Cases of abandonments are at a three-year high for the RSPCA and last year (2023) the charity received 20,999 reports about an abandoned animal, including 14,172 dogs.

This year the RSPCA celebrates its 200th birthday. To mark this special anniversary the animal welfare charity wants to inspire one million people to join their movement to improve animals' lives.