Dead dog found bound and dumped near Wigan canal

Charlie Brogan, 17, discovered the lifeless English Bull Terrier tethered by its legs and wrapped in a blanket on a patch of grass on Miry Lane Industrial Estate earlier this week.

The youngster immediately called his mum, Tracy Cumberbatch, who arrived shortly after and informed the RSPCA and police.

Two members of Social Care Animals Wigan CIC, a borough animal welfare charity, also attended to scan the dog for a microchip.

“It broke my son’s heart and mine,” said Tracy. “I couldn’t leave her until someone picked her up.

“Even if it was a natural death, why would someone just dump her like that?

“She had a puppy pad taped to her back end and her legs were also tied-up in the blue duct tape.

“She was wearing an orange collar.”

After four hours, the RSPCA turned up to remove the dog’s remains, which were at the back of a roofing shop near the iron bridge which leads over to DW Stadium.

“We were frozen to the bone waiting,” said Tracy. “The RSPCA have the name and address of the owner but I don’t know what they are going to do about it yet.”

Along with the dog’s body, the charity workers found a bag of rotten meat which had only started to discolour, leading them to believe that the body had only been there for around 24 hours before Charlie discovered it.

There was also a small kitchen knife and a garden trowel which had snapped at the head.

Confusion remains over whether the incident will be investigated by police officers or by the RSPCA.

An RSPCA spokesperson said: “We were called to reports that a dog had been found dead with its feet and mouth bound with duct tape yesterday afternoon near Miry Lane Industrial Estate in Wigan.

“On route to the incident we were told that it had already been dealt with and understand the police are involved.

“Anyone with information about this incident can call the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018.”

However, a further call to Greater Manchester Police revealed that they believed the RSPCA was taking the lead with the investigation.

A GMP spokesperson said: “Shortly before 2pm we responded to reports that the body of a dog had been found.

“The RSPCA have been contacted.”