Dog burns death investigated

USPCA appeals for information after dog is burned

The Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is investigating the death of a dog which suffered severe burns.

USPCA officers in Belfast were called after a member of the public found the dog on the Ravenhill Road in east of the city on Sunday morning.

The dog was covered in sores and lacerations and its underside and paws were burned.

It was taken to a local vet for treatment but had to be put to sleep after it was felt that the dog was in too much pain.

USPCA welfare Natalie Brennan was the first person to approach the dog.

"When I got up close to the dog I could see that its coat was completely singed," she said.

Dog suffered burns to face and body

"Down the legs there were big open wounds on the dog - big cuts on the dog.

"When it started to walk towards me it was very stiff and I could tell from the way it was walking that it was in incredible pain.

"On its face there were cuts which I now know to be burns and the pads of its feet were so severely burned that the black pads were actually peeled away and it was just red raw underneath," she said.

Ms Brennan said scars on the dog's back legs indicated that it was not the first time it had suffered cruelty.

USPCA spokeswoman Vivien Grainger described it as one of the worst cases she had ever seen.

We would appeal for help in trying to catch the person who was responsible for inflicting these injuries on a dog

Vivien Grainger

She said: "It was covered in burns and it was obviously suffering, severely suffering.

"So whoever has done that to a dog, then yes, we would want to find them.

"Somebody must have seen that dog - somebody must have known the dog was being burnt.

"We would appeal for help in trying to catch the person who was responsible for inflicting these injuries on a dog," said Ms Grainger.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police at Willowfield in east Belfast.