A DOG'S body was found zipped in a bag in Netherton Reservoir, leading to a RSPCA investigation.

A member of the public made the awful discovery after spotting a bag in the water on Tuesday and fishing it out.

The woman called the RSPCA reporting the dog was struggling to breathe, but inspector Vicki Taylor found the dog had passed away when she arrived.

The RSPCA are now investigating and have urged anyone who knows where the dog came from to get in touch.

Vicki said: "A member of the public contacted us after spotting the black bag in the reservoir. She managed to fish it out and pull it onto the bank where she found a dog zipped up inside.

“She said the dog was struggling to breathe and wasn’t responsive so I rushed over there but, sadly, he was dead when I arrived.

“He was wrapped in a blanket and microchipped but the chip wasn’t registered, which is now a legal requirement.

“Although the caller believed he was breathing when she pulled him from the water, the vet believes he may have been dead and in the water for some time due to deterioration of his fur and skin.

“He’s a large, grey/blue and white dog with cropped ears so he’s quite recognisable. He hasn’t suffered from any obvious injuries so it’s unclear whether he was dead before being dumped in the water or whether, tragically, he was deliberately thrown into the reservoir and drowned."

Anyone with information about the dog and where he has come from should call the RSPCA appeal line on 0300 123 8018.