THE RSPCA has launched an investigation after a dog was found to have been drowned in a lake while tied to a lawnmower in West Yorkshire.

The cream coloured shih tzu dog was found washed up at the side of a small lake in Piccolo Row, Leeds, with wire around her neck. Tied to the other end of the wire was a bright orange lawnmower.

An RSPCA inspector attended the scene and found that the dog was microchipped, however upon contacting the person on the microchip it was discovered the dog had been sold three years previously - potentially to a man known as ‘Mark’.

The microchip gave the dog’s name as Daisy and stated she was five years old.

An RSPCA spokesperson said: “This is very upsetting and sadly it appears that poor Daisy was deliberately drowned as there seems to be no other reason why she would be tied to the lawnmower.

“Why someone would do something so cruel like this is incomprehensible.

“We are very keen to find out who did this to Daisy and we urge anyone with any information at all to contact us in confidence on 0300 123 8018.”

The RSPCA is continuing its vital work rescuing animals during the Coronavirus crisis.

To help the RSPCA keep rescuing animals and keep our animal hospitals and centres running for emergency treatment and round the clock care through these unprecedented times, please donate whatever you can spare at rspca.org.uk/covid