Myrna and Simon Elms with Tommy, after finding a dead puppy in Oaken Woods, Barming

by Anna White

A dead puppy has been found in woodlands with suspected gunshot wounds.

The grim discovery was stumbled upon by Simon and Myrna Elms while they were walking their two dogs near Oaken Wood, Barming.

Their German shepherd Tommy followed a foul stench and led them to the horrific scene.

Mrs Elms said the dog, a Labrador, appeared to have gunshot marks on its head and chest and she believes it may have also suffered a blow to the skull.

The couple immediately called the RSPCA and police after finding the pup, thought to have been about nine-months old.

The gruesome find was particularly heartbreaking for Mr and Mrs Elms, as they devote their time to helping animals.

The couple used to oversee the Maidstone Animal Rights group and now run organisation Pads and Paws, rescuing cats and dogs and rehoming them.

Mrs Elms, of Maryland Drive, Barming, said: “We have rehomed about 40 dogs, and our two German shepherds are both rescue dogs.

“From our experience we know Labradors are not hard to handle. They are a very friendly breed.

"I just don’t understand how or why someone would do something so awful.

"It breaks my heart to think the poor pup probably thought he was going for a walk.”

The 55-year-old and her husband have put up a £200 reward for any information which leads to a prosecution in connection with the killing.

"it breaks my heart to think the poor pup probably thought he was going for a walk" – myrna elms

Mrs Elms said: “We can’t let the person that did this horrible crime get away with it.

“We need to take action and we hope someone will be able to help us.”

An RSPCA inspector has examined the dog and scanned it for a microchip but found it was not registered and didn't have any identification.

A spokesman for the charity said: “We would like to know what happened to this dog.

“If anyone has any information on this incident we would like them to contact us on 0300 123 999.”

The spokesman added that the dog was too badly decomposed to confirm if it had been shot.

Police officers visited the site and questioned people in the area.

• Anyone with information is asked to call the police on 101, quoting reference number 16-0561, or email myrna.elms@blueyonder.co.uk