RSPCA launch appeal after dogs found in shopping bag in Leeds canal
It comes nine months after an identical incident in the same waterway
The RSPCA is appealing for information after a family of dogs were found drowned in a shopping bag in a canal in Leeds.
Officers from the animal rescue charity were called to the canal running alongside the Aire River by Holts Crest Way in the west of the city on May 20th.
When responders arrived to the scene, they found a large Sports Direct shopping bag that was recovered from the canal, which contained ten dogs inside.
Working with West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, the RSPCA found two adult French bulldogs, six French bulldog puppies and two terrier puppies inside - all of whom had been found drowned.
As well as the animals, services attending the incident discovered the bag had been weighed down with a red brick.
The incident nine months after a similar incident took place in the same location as another family of French bulldogs - made up of two adults and three puppies.
An appeal was launched by the RSPCA following the first incident back in August 2023 - but officers were unable to trace a suspect.
Animal Rescue Officer Hannah Williams from the RSPCA attended the scene and said that the two similar incidents has raised suspicions.
"It is very suspicious that two identical incidents have occurred in the same area, both families of French bulldogs and both in Sports Direct bags. It seems highly likely that these are linked," Williams said.
"It's awful to think what these poor dogs went through and I'm keen to piece together what happened leading up to finding them. They didn't appear to be in ill health which makes us, very sadly, believe they could have been intentionally drowned."
She added that the charity is urging anyone who has any information about the incident to come forward to stop similar "awful acts of animal cruelty" from taking place.
Those who may have any relevant information, or saw someone walking French bulldogs in the area at the time of the incident can get in touch by calling the RSPCA's appeals line on 0300 123 8018, quoting incident reference number 1268568.