An XL Bully dog was found dead in Carshalton, south London, just hours before a new ban on the breed came into effect.
The muscular brown dog suffered extensive burns to its front paws, a fractured skull, and had one of its ears sliced off.
Disturbing images depict the canine with its legs tied together, raising suspicions of foul play.
The discovery was made by a concerned member of the public on Saturday, December 30, who promptly reported the incident to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).
The animal was found in an alleyway, and initial investigations revealed that the XL Bully had escaped from a garden after a fence collapsed during the recent storms.
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RSPCA Inspector Harriet Daliday expressed deep concern over the circumstances surrounding the dog’s death.
She said: “At this stage, we don’t know for certain if the dog had sustained the head injury after being hit by a car, or whether this was done deliberately. It is deeply concerning that the dog was found with his legs tied together and had been set on fire. The dog also had one of his ears cut off.”
The incident is under investigation, and authorities are appealing to the public for any information related to the case.
This tragic incident coincides with the introduction of a new law in England and Wales on December 31, which includes the XL Bully breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
The legislation deems breeding, selling, advertising, exchanging, gifting, rehoming, abandoning, or allowing XL Bully dogs to stray illegal.
