Canal walkers make grisly discovery after pulling suitcase out of a Lancashire canal

Police were called to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal on Wednesday (June 3) after a suitcase was pulled out of the water by curious passersby.

Upon opening the suitcase, they were horrified to discover what appeared to be animal remains.

Police were called to the scene, close to the Asda supermarket in Grimshaw Retail Park, where officers made an initial inspection of the suitcase and its grisly contents.

The RSPCA was then asked to attend the scene and the remains were handed over to its officers for investigation.

A vet has since examined the remains, but due to the extent of the dog's decomposition, a cause of death has not been established.

But its report concluded that there is no suggestion that the dog had died due to foul play or mistreatment.

The RSPCA said the dog's owners could not be traced because it had not been microchipped.

A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: “This must have been such a distressing discovery, and we thank those who found the dog for voicing their concerns.

“We’re not sure what happened to this poor dog, and there was no microchip found so we’re not able to find out who the owner was.

“The dog’s body was examined by a vet but sadly because it was quite decomposed it was unclear exactly when or how this dog died, although no obvious signs of foul play were discovered."

The RSPCA is now appealing for any information that might help to understand what had happened to the dog.

A spokesperson added: “If anyone has any information they can contact our inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018. All calls are treated in confidence."