Dog taped up and dumped in skip

The dog had been dumped in a refuse skip

A young dog narrowly escaped being crushed to death at a council waste site after being gagged and taped inside a box dumped in a skip.

The two-year-old collie cross had his muzzle taped shut before being stuffed and sealed inside a cardboard box.

Workmen had been due to empty the skips into a huge crusher, but moved earlier than usual, effectively saving the dog's life at Malton, North Yorks.

Officers are searching for the culprits and "Skippy" has been found a new home.

Quick succession

A spokesman at Malton police station told BBC News: "Someone taking rubbish to the skip noticed a box had been taped up with parcel tape.

"They opened the box and out popped this dog, his mouth had been strapped up inside the box."

Police say the dog is about two-years-old and probably a collie-corgi cross.

Three cars arrived at the site in quick succession and police believe the animal was dumped from one of the vehicles.

It's appalling, despicable...there's no need in this day and age to do this sort of thing RSPCA inspector Geoff Edmund

"He had not been in there long, possibly only 20 minutes. The crushers came early that morning, he's very lucky."

The woman who found the dog has called him "Skippy" and is taking care of him, police confirmed.

The officer added: "He's very distinctive, a bit like a short-wheel based collie, a lovely-looking dog."

RSPCA inspector Geoff Edmund said he was appalled and disturbed by the actions of those who dumped the dog.

"It's appalling, despicable...there's no need in this day and age to do this sort of thing.

"I don't think people realise how close this dog came to being crushed.

"It's entirely the wrong place to leave a helpless animal."

A joint investigation is being carried out by North Yorkshire Police and the RSPCA to track down the culprits.