AN appeal has been issued by an animal investigation charity after the remains of a dog were discovered in Radcliffe.

Officials from Animal Protection Services (APS) say a black female pug was found on land behind Near Hey Close on Friday morning.

Later the dog was taken to Beech House Vets, where it was confirmed the animal was thought to have been left there.

An official from the charity said a black pug, answering a similar description, had been reported missing from the Rotherham area recently.

The body of the dog has been passed to the RSPCA and it is expected further examinations will follow. The police have also been notified, according to APS.

An appeal has been issued by APS for anyone who might have seen anything suspicious in the Hay Close area, before 7.30am last Friday.

This may include CCTV or dashcam footage, says the charity, which can be contacted on 03301200909 or via e-mail on info@animalprotectionservices.co.uk in confidence.