A HEAVILY pregnant dog was drowned in a weighted bag in the Bridgewater Canal.
The RSPCA is almost certain the dog was alive when she entered the water.
A member of the public spotted her body last Tuesday evening in the canal by the Barge Hotel Chinese Restaurant.
The Staffordshire bull terrier had been placed in a black canvas bag and a video player had been tied to its collar.
She was aged around two and was in good physical condition, and wore a good quality black collar with silver studs.
The police and council officers dragged her body from the canal.
RSPCA Inspector Nadine Pengilly, who is leading the investigation, said: "This was such a despicably cruel act, her suffering doesn't bear thinking about.
"Not only was her life taken, so were the lives of her unborn pups.
"Given her good condition it is possible that she was stolen then drowned but we're not ruling out that her owner disposed of her because her litter was unwanted.
"I believe she probably walked to the water's edge as it would have taken at least two people to carry her and the bag, so somebody must have seen something on Tuesday evening.
"I'm appealing for anybody with information to contact the RSPCA urgently.
"I also think the culprit is local and I shall be carrying out extensive investigations in the Castlefields area to find out who is responsible."
Anyone with information should contact the RSPCA on 08705 555999. Calls are in confidence and are charged at the national rate.
