WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGES: Sick dog found dumped in kennel containing decomposing bodies of siblings

The RSPCA is appealing for information after a terrified and poorly dog was found dumped in a wooden kennel containing the decomposing bodies of her siblings.

The tragic discovery was made at about 8pm on Tuesday in Grange Road North, Runcorn, by a horrified member of the public.

Gareth Forshaw was alerted to the scene after his dog, a Cavalier King Charles called Lily, began barking out of the window towards a lane which runs at the side of his house.

He went to investigate and came across a wooden kennel before discovering the horrific scene inside.

He said: “I thought it was a strange thing to be dumped so I went to have a closer look and then when I peered inside I could see two dead dogs - and the smell of their decomposition hit me.

“There was another dog out of the kennel in a terrible state, with very little hair, which ran off.

“Me and a neighbour went to get some water and food for the poorly dog and backed away from the kennel.

"She then came out from where she was hiding and drunk all the water and ate all the food before jumping back in the kennel and laying on the dead dogs.

“She was so scared. It was awful and really upsetting for all the neighbours who were trying to help, especially as we knew she had been left with the dead animals which were probably family members.

“We called the RSPCA who advised us to try and get a dog lead on her so she wouldn’t run away, which we did, and held her until an inspector arrived.”

Inspector Lisa Lupson arrived at the scene and described it as 'the saddest sights I have ever witnessed in my 12 years as an RSPCA inspector'.

She said: “It was truly horrendous - this poor dog was so ill and was so frightened, she still wanted to be with the dead dogs which we believe were her siblings.

“Initial reports suggest they had been dead for a number of days so it must have been horrendous for her to be there all that time not knowing what would happen to her - and she was so loyal she wanted to stay with them.”

The terrier-cross, aged about one, was rushed to Greater Manchester Animal Hospital where she is being treated for severe mange and weight loss and will then be rehabilitated by the RSPCA before she is re-homed.

Lisa added: “She is the sweetest little thing. When we got to the hospital I gave her biscuit and in spite of all she had been through she wagged her tail - so we have decided to call her Biscuit.

“I am so grateful to the residents who rallied round to help me last night and know many of them were utterly appalled and horrified by what they had to see.”

She now wants to trace the owner of the dog and is appealing for anyone with information to call the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018.