Image captures the distressing moment a dog’s body was found dumped next to a bin in a Sheffield park

RSPCA inspector Vanessa Reid was called to Tinsley Meadows park on August 1 by police after the distressing find was made.

The adult, female German Shepherd’s lifeless body was found inside a grey Royal Mail sack. It is thought the dog had not been dead for long.

She was wearing a black collar fastened with a chain but there was no identification tag attached, and the animal had not been microchipped either.

Inspector Reid is now appealing for further information.

“The German Shepherd was stuffed inside the large, grey parcel sack and left beside a bin in the park,” she said.

“Just the dog’s ear could be seen poking out of the opening.

“I collected the body and cut open the sack to examine the dog but there were no obvious signs of injury to her body and certainly no clear cause of death. I suspect she hadn’t been dead long.”

Inspector Reid said the dog’s body did not display any obvious signs of illness.

“It’s so incredibly sad to find this beautiful, seemingly healthy dog dumped in such a way. She appeared to be in a really good condition, so it’s unclear how she perished and whether it was in suspicious circumstances but I’d certainly like to speak to her owners.”

Inspector Reid added: “It was incredibly difficult to lift the sack alone, so I believe it would have taken two people to carry her body into the park. I’d really like to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious in or around the park before the discovery.

“I’d also like to take the opportunity to ask anyone who believes they know who owned this dog to come forward.

“If you have any additional information with regards to this sad incident, please call the RSPCA’s inspector appeal line on 0300 123 8018.”

Editor’s message: Thank you for reading this story. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on our advertisers and thus our revenues. The Star is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism. You can subscribe here – www.thestar.co.uk/subscriptions – for unlimited access to Sheffield news and information online. Every subscription helps us continue providing trusted, local journalism and campaign on your behalf for our city.