The RSPCA has launched an appeal after a dog's body was found in a ditch in West Malling with her microchip removed.

A passing dog walker spotted the tan-coloured French bulldog in a drainage ditch neat the George pub, Trottiscliffe.

The member of public took the dog to Sandhole Vets in Snodland who, after examining the bloated body, called the RSPCA.

RSPCA Inspector Kirsten Ormerod said: “The vet reports that there is no visible evidence to indicate the cause of this poor little dog’s death.

“They called us after realising that someone had neatly incised the skin on the back of the dog’s neck and removed her microchip.

“With little or no bleeding from the wound, the vet thinks this was carried out after she died, which is extremely unusual.

"They estimate that the dog is around seven years of age, and there are no obvious signs that she has ever been spayed, nor does she seem to have recently given birth.

“We’d really like to get to the bottom of this sad incident, so if anyone recognises this poor female French bulldog or has any information they should call the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 1238018.”

To report concerns about animal cruelty, contact the RSPCA’s hotline on 0300 1234999.

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

Read more: All the latest news from Malling