Two dead dogs have been found buried in a shallow woodland grave in Stockton

Two dead dogs have been found buried in a shallow grave in Stockton on Tees.

The lurcher-types - one male and one female - were discovered buried down a disused railway line about 200 metres off Letch Lane by a woman walking her dog on Wednesday morning (21 March).

She called Stockton Council, who called the RSPCA.

RSPCA inspector Garry Palmer said: “We collected the bodies and they have been looked at by Micaela Wright at Stanhope Park Veterinary Practice.

“She believes the dogs had been buried for at least 10 days, which would make it the weekend of the 10/11 March.

“As a result it’s difficult to tell their colouring, but it’s thought the male is possibly a dark grey colour and the female a light brown.

“The female has suffered a severely fractured skull which is probably how she died. There were no obvious injuries to the male.

“Both dogs were wearing the traditional collars worn by the breed, wider in one part and made of leather, though they were filthy it’s thought they may have been light brown. Neither dog had a microchip.”

As the location where the dogs were found is quite remote it’s thought one or both of them may have been killed there.

“It’s a long way to carry two dead dogs of this size to dispose of them,” said inspector Palmer. “It just doesn’t seem likely.

“If anyone has seen or heard anything they think might help my investigation, or knows of someone who had two lurcher-type dogs who have recently gone missing, I’d really like to hear from them. Please call the RSPCA appeal line 0300 123 8018 and ask to leave a message for me.