The RSPCA is on the hunt for a cold-blooded animal abuser who brutally tortured and killed two dogs in South Yorkshire. The bodies of the animals were found in a woodland in Rotherham, skinned, and according to some reports they were hanging from a tree, although there are conflicting reports of what position the animals were in when they were found. The grizzly scene was happened upon by a walker on the 22nd of October. The walker found the bodies near a black bin bag in an area of Washfield Lane woods. A rodent was also found killed next to the two dogs, and the rodent had its skin removed as well.
According to the RSPCA, the animals were so badly tortured and disfigured that it was not even possible to figure out what breeds the dogs were.
RSPCA inspector Jennie Ronksley appealed to members of the public for help.
“Members of the public contacted our emergency line after a horrific discovery in a small area of trees near Treeton Dike on Thursday night. The bodies are completely skinned and were beside a black bin bag liner. What’s not clear is whether the bodies have been dumped together in the bag and then dragged out and predated on by wildlife, or whether they were skinned before being dumped in this area,” Ronksley told The Sun.
The inspector called the scene a shocking sight, and said that the agency is very concerned that the animals suffered a great deal before their untimely deaths.
The inspector called on the public for any support or information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect.
It is still unclear if these were stray animals, or if the dogs were missing from an owner.
“It seems strange for more than one animal to be found like this if there’s an innocent explanation so this seems very suspicious to me,” Ronksley said.
The Animal Welfare Act 2006 is the latest animal welfare legislation in England and Wales. It superseded and consolidated more than 20 other pieces of legislation, such as the Protection of Animals Act 1934 and the Abandonment of Animals Act 1960. The 2006 Act introduced tougher penalties for neglect and cruelty, including fines of up to £20,000, a maximum jail term of 51 weeks, and a lifetime ban on some owners keeping pets.
Anyone with information should contact the RSPCA appeal line on 0300 123 8018.
