The mutilated body of a bull breed type dog with a metal chain around its neck has been discovered in a popular dog walking spot.

The RSPCA is appealing for information after the canine was found dead in Mill Lane in Shoreham near Sevenoaks on Saturday, March 1 by a member of the public.

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It comes after the dog’s body was found wrapped in an old carpet with old t-shirts and a metal chain around it’s neck, along with a black bin bag tied around its head and a length of metal wire bound around his jaw.

RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer (ARO) Adam Tasker, who is investigating, said: “It looks like this poor dog was killed in awful circumstances.

“The metal chain had cut into the skin where it had been pulled tight, while the dog’s muzzle had been enclosed with wire. There were several terrible things done to the dog that at first sight you might think the cause of death was either suffocation or strangulation.

“This is a really popular dog walking route, so it is odd that the dog was dumped here in plain sight.

“There are a lot of walkers around here during the day so my hope is that someone may recall seeing something suspicious.”

Close to the body of the underweight dog was a discarded red suitcase, which the RSPCA believe may have been used to transport the animal to the location.

However, it says the carpet and suitcase were spotted lying at the location several days before.

Now the rescue officer is keen to speak with anyone who knows something about the dog, who was not microchipped.

A vet who examined the body of the dog believes he was deliberately strangled before being left at the spot.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the RSPCA appeals line number on 0300 123 8018 and cite reference number 01459975.