HORRIFIC pictures have been released of a dying dog which was starved and beaten in one of the worst cases of animal cruelty the RSPCA has ever seen.
The terrified Saluki-type lurcher was found dumped on farmland with catastrophic injuries and was rushed to a vet.
Despite desperately trying to save the dog, the injuries were too serious and it was tragically put to sleep.
Initially it was thought the dog may have been run over and was suffering a fractured skull and broken back after it was found at 5pm on April 5.
But examinations revealed the dog had been savagely beaten and may have been lying in agony for as long as 12 hours before a farmer spotted it on his land near Bewdley, Worcs.
RSPCA inspector Jonathan Ratcliffe said: "We suspect that he may have been used in an illegal activity — such as hare-coursing — the night before or in the early hours of the morning, meaning that he had been left to suffer horrifically for many hours.
"The dog was in absolute agony it was awful to see.
"In my 12 years as an RSPCA inspector this is one of the worst cases of cruelty I have come across, to leave an animal in such a state of horrendous suffering is despicable."
The dog was microchipped but the details were not up-to-date and its new owner lived in Bristol.
The RSPCA is now trying to trace the owner to establish how the dog received its injuries.
Mr Ratcliffe said: "The dog is a distinctive looking tri-coloured lurcher who was emaciated and he was also wearing a red collar so I am hoping someone will recognise him and will be able to identify his latest owner who lives just north of Bristol.
"Also I am wanting to see if anyone saw anything suspicions on the night in question or saw any vehicles in the area which may help me trace the owner."
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