The RSPCA is appealing for information after the decomposed body of a dog was found hanging from a tree on the banks of the River Thames near St. George Wharf Pier, Vauxhall.
A member of the public spotted the dog’s remains on Tuesday morning (April 1) and alerted the animal charity. The white and tan-coloured canine, severely decomposed and hanging from a tree branch, was located below a pathway near the Riverside pub.
Rescue Effort
Due to the difficult-to-reach location, RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer (ARO) Julia Pernas enlisted the help of the London Fire Brigade to retrieve the dog’s body from the riverbank.
Once recovered, the dog’s body was taken to RSPCA Leybourne Animal Centre for assessment. Due to the advanced state of decomposition, the sex and breed of the dog could not be determined.
ARO Julia Pernas commented:
“This poor dog’s body was hanging by a tree branch close to the pier near to the Riverside pub at this Thames-side location. This is a busy area and while the location where the dog was found is difficult to reach, there may be someone who has seen someone acting suspiciously before this dog was disposed of in such a cruel manner.”
She added:
“We were grateful for the help of the London Fire Brigade in retrieving the dog. Working together is crucial for animal welfare.”
Suspicious Circumstances
The RSPCA is treating the discovery with caution due to the unusual and suspicious circumstances. The dog’s body was not microchipped, and there were no other identifying features visible.
The dog was found close to the Riverside restaurant, in an area that, despite being hard to access, is popular with walkers.
Public Appeal
The RSPCA is urging anyone with information about the incident or who may have seen suspicious activity near the pier to come forward.
Anyone with relevant information is asked to call the RSPCA appeals line at 0300 123 8018, quoting incident number 01481892.
Animal Welfare Collaboration
The collaboration between the RSPCA and the London Fire Brigade highlights the importance of multi-agency cooperation in animal welfare cases. The RSPCA continues to investigate and is determined to uncover how and why the dog ended up in such a tragic state.
How to Help
If you have any information that could help the investigation, please contact the RSPCA immediately. Your support could make a difference in ensuring justice for this animal.
