An investigation has been launched after a dog's badly burned body was found in woodlands.

Children found the charred remains of the black and white collie type dog near The Avenue, in the Glebe area of Washington, at teatime on Saturday.

Earlier the same day, an animal with a similar description was reported missing, and RSPCA chief inspector Michelle Charlton said she feared the dead dog could be it.

The RSPCA is working with the police to investigate the male animal's death, and police have conducted a fingertip search and are undertaking house to house inquiries.

A post mortem will be carried out on the body.

Chief inspector Charlton said the incident was one of the worst she had encountered. "The RSPCA deals with a lot of cases of animals getting beaten up and killed, but I've only once had a report of a dog being set on fire in 17 years," she said.

"It's made it difficult for us to find the cause of death.

"I could never understand why someone would want to do something like that.

"It was a deliberate act of cruelty."

The chief inspector appealed for help in tracking down the culprit.

"I'm hopeful that we can find out who's responsible, but we are appealing to members of the public to help us with this investigation," she said.

"If anyone saw a person walking a black and white collie-type dog in the Glebe area, I would urge them to come forward.

"If they saw someone acting strangely in the wooded area, or if they saw somebody setting fire to a dog, then please get in touch with us or the police."

The RSPCA can be contacted on 08705 555999.