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Puppy found with ears cropped, neck broken in shocking case of animal abuse

WARNING - DISTRESSING CONTENT: A puppy has been found dumped with his ears cropped and a broken neck with investigators confounded by the “absolutely abhorrent” case of cruelty.

The little dog, a grey, tan and white American Bully-type breed, was found in a bag on top of garbage bins in Kent in southeast England on Friday (local time).

Animal rescue officer Brian Milligan said the puppy, who didn’t survive, was discovered in a pink M&S Percy Pig bag and wrapped in tape.

"Council workers who found the little pup ... thought to be around 10 weeks old, took him to a local vet who alerted us,” Mr Milligan said.

A pink M&S Percy Pig bag is pictured.
A dead puppy was found in this pink M&S Percy Pig bag. Source: RSPCA UK

"Vets examined the body and found his neck had been broken. The puppy also had blood around his mouth and infected cropped ears."

The dog was microchipped but it wasn’t registered. Mr Milligan said he died “in extremely suspicious circumstances”.

"We believe the puppy's neck may have been broken deliberately which is absolutely abhorrent,” he said.

“But the question remains as to why?

"One theory is that he'd fallen ill as a result of the barbaric cropping of his ears. Perhaps he lost a lot of blood or the infection in the wounds had made him poorly and the breeders felt it would be too expensive - and would raise too many questions - to seek veterinary advice?

A dead American Bully puppy is pictured.
The pooch was found with a broken neck and his ears altered. Source: RSPCA UK

"Vets don't believe the cropping has been carried out by someone who knows what they're doing so it looks like a do-it-yourself job as the wounds also hadn't been stitched up.”

Mr Milligan is also “extremely worried” about the litter the pup came from.

“There could be more pups with infected cropped ears who are getting sicker and sicker who need urgent veterinary attention,” he said.

"So I'd implore anyone who has bought a similar dog in this area recently or who knows where this puppy may have come from to call us as soon as possible."

Ear cropping is illegal in England and involves removing or altering an animal’s ears.

RSPCA’s Dr Samantha Gaines said dogs “should never be mutilated for cosmetic purposes”.

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