Police have launched an animal cruelty investigation after a dog was found dead next to the River Tyne.

The dog, whose breed is not currently known, was found on off Prince Consort Road in Hebburn, South Tyneside on Sunday (April 2) evening.

Officers are treating the incident as a suspected animal cruelty case and have launched an investigation alongside the RSPCA.

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A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “Shortly before 6pm on Sunday, April 2, police received a report that a deceased dog had been found near to the riverside off Prince Consort Road in Hebburn.

“The report is currently being treated as suspected animal cruelty.

“Enquiries are ongoing and a report will also be passed to the RSPCA. Anyone with information should contact police using the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of our website or by calling 101 quoting reference number NP-20230402-0936.”