Abandoned dog dies tied to gate

The dog is thought to have been alive when it was tied up

A dog has been found dead after a rope used to tether it to a gate became twisted around its neck.

The RSPCA said the lurcher had been "deliberately abandoned" in a field in Four Crosses, near Welshpool, Powys, only a few yards from a vet's surgery.

The five-year-old greyhound cross-breed had been dead for about 24 hours when it was recovered on Tuesday.

RSPCA inspector Phil Lewis said it was a "premeditated callous act of cruelty" and appealed for information.

He said: "This dog was deliberately tied to this gate and I believe it would have been alive at the time.

This dog was deliberately tied to this gate RSPCA inspector Phil Lewis

"For someone to abandon the animal in this manner knowing that the rural location would make the dog difficult to find is a premeditated callous act of cruelty."

"Tying animals - or tethering - is not against the law, but the RSPCA believes is it not a suitable way to manage an animal as it can lead to animals being badly hurt and in the worst cases dying."

In 2003, a study found that up to 1,800 lurchers were abandoned in Wales after their racing careers had reached their peak.

A report, The Fate of Racing Greyhounds and Working Lurchers in Wales, was produced by an all-party group of AMs and animal protection organisations.

Anyone with information can contact Mr Lewis on 0870 55 55 999.