Track dog death 'not deliberate'

A dog found dead on a railway line in Northamptonshire was not deliberately killed, police have said.

The dog was found in Corby in June and two boys, aged 11 and 13, were held on suspicion of animal cruelty.

It was believed the dog had been tied to the railway line and may have been burnt before being hit by a train.

A joint Northamptonshire Police and British Transport Police inquiry found there was no suggestion of cruelty or that the dog was killed on purpose.

No evidence

Insp Gary Williams, of Northamptonshire Police, said: "This has been a very emotive issue and I can understand the strength of feeling about what was suggested may have happened to the dog.

"I am now in a position to state that there is no evidence to suggest that the dog was deliberately killed or subject of any cruelty offences at the location where the body was found or that the body was burnt."

Police confirmed that five boys, aged between 11 and 15, were interviewed during the investigation and three of the boys may face further action in relation to trespassing on railway lines.

The owner of the dog, which was not micro-chipped or wearing a collar, has not been traced.