A pregnant dog, suspected to be an XL Bully, was found dead in a park near Lewisham inside a carrier bag with its microchip cut out.

The RSPCA is appealing for information after the dog was found with “a number of serious injuries” believed to be inflicted by a sharp knife.

Some of the minor wounds the dog sustained may have been the result of a dogfight.

A member of the public found the animal inside of a blood-stained shopping bag on Carswell Road, off Ringstead Road, near to the entrance of Mountsfield Park at around 9am on Thursday, May 23.

The dog was aged around two or three but a vet who examined its body suspects that its microchip was cut out after she died.

RSPCA Inspector Harriet Daliday, who is investigating, said the animal charity is keen to speak to local residents who may have Ring Doorbell footage from the evening of Wednesday, May 22. 

She said: “We are appealing to the public for help to see if anyone knows anything about how this poor dog was found with such appalling injuries like this,” said the inspector.

“A witness saw a man and a woman dragging a green wheelie bin up Carswell Road during the evening before the dog was found.

“The RSPCA would be keen to speak to these people and anyone else who saw anything in that area that evening.

“The following morning the dog was found in the bag which had been placed behind a couple of parked vans.

“Someone may also have seen a dog like this at a property or they may know who owns her.”

Anyone with any information is urged to contact the RSPCA.

Inspector Daliday added: “It seems the dog may be an XL Bully.

“We do know she was at least seven weeks pregnant at the time of her death.

“A vet who assessed her injuries believes some of them were inflicted before she died and they believe a bladed article was used to cause some of them.”

Lewisham Council’s animal welfare department was contacted by the Metropolitan Police and the dog’s body is being retained by the authority.

The bulldog weighs around 43kg and is brown and white merle in colour.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the RSPCA appeals line number on 0300 123  8018.